Qualitative Data Analysis Software
1. What do QDA software tools like NVivo or ATLAS.ti actually do?
- These tools are often called computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS or QDA software). Their main purpose is to help you organize, code, query, visualize, and manage qualitative (or mixed-methods) data.
- They allow you to import many types of source materials (e.g. interview transcripts, focus-group transcripts, observation notes, PDFs, images, audio/video files, survey open-ended responses) and work systematically with them.
- Rather than doing everything entirely by hand (e.g. highlighting, cutting and pasting in Word), they provide structures (codes, codebooks, memos, annotations, networks, queries) to support rigorous, transparent analysis.
2. How do transcripts work with NVivo / ATLAS.ti?
- You import your transcripts (text) into the software (often as Word, plain text, RTF, etc.). (Note that Microsoft Teams and other products can provide transcripts of interviews so you don’t have to purchase separate transcript software.)
- The transcripts become “source documents” (sometimes called “documents,” “cases,” or “quotations containers”) that you can browse, search, or annotate.
- In some cases, you can link transcript lines to metadata (e.g. speaker, interview date, demographic variables) so that each document is a “case” with attributes.
- For multimedia (audio/video) files, many versions include or offer transcription features or integration with transcription services; you can align text with time stamps or segments of media.
- Once transcript data is in the system, you can select passages (a few words, a sentence, or multiple sentences) and code them (assign them to one or more “codes” or “nodes” or categories).
3. What is “coding,” and how do these tools assist with it?
- Coding = the process of labeling or tagging segments of data (passages in transcripts, images, audio, etc.) with conceptual categories (codes) that represent themes, ideas, constructs, or phenomena in your data.
- In NVivo / ATLAS.ti, you can create a codebook (a hierarchical or flat set of codes) and then apply codes to segments of your data.
- You can revise, merge, split, rename, or reorganize codes over time as your analysis evolves.
- The software enables you to retrieve all data segments associated with a given code (or combination of codes).
- You can run queries: e.g. find co-occurrence (when two codes appear in the same passage), frequency of codes, intersections, or search for particular words or phrases in coded text.
- Many tools offer visualizations: code or concept maps, networks, word clouds, matrices, charts of code frequency, hierarchies, or code co-occurrence graphs.
- Some versions support auto-coding (automatic suggestion or assignment of codes based on keywords, patterns, or AI) as a starting point (which you then refine manually). Note: If you are going to use AI products, you must protect participant confidentiality and include that in your IRB application.
- They also often support memos or annotations—you can write reflections, notes, or analytic commentary tied to codes, documents, or segments.
4. Are NVivo and ATLAS.ti comparable? What are their strengths and differences?
- Yes — they are broadly comparable in function, though each has its own user interface, emphasis, and workflow philosophies. Many researchers consider them competitors or alternatives.
- In September 2024, Lumivero (the developer behind NVivo) acquired ATLAS.ti, bringing both under a single umbrella.
- Because of that, one might expect more integration or shared development across both products in the future.
- In terms of pricing, functionality, and academic adoption, they tend to be “in the same ballpark.” However, some users report that one interface feels more intuitive or easier to start with, or certain features (e.g. visualization, query types, ease of merging projects) differ.
- Reviews and comparison sites often show that user satisfaction, support response, and ease of use can tip preferences.
- In practice, it may come down to which interface you pick up more quickly, what kind of help/tutorials are available, and perhaps what others in your team or field use.
- Ask your professor or Chair what they recommend or are familiar with.
5. Where can I learn more (especially more methodologically grounded) about qualitative data analysis?
- A great resource is Sage Research Methods, one of our Liberty databases. You can search for “qualitative data analysis” there, and you’ll find books, articles, case studies, tool tutorials, methodology chapters, etc.
- In particular, you’ll find works on coding strategies, grounded theory, thematic analysis, trustworthiness, memoing, and use of software in qualitative research.
6. What about licensing and cost?
- Years ago, Liberty University provided access to NVivo to students or faculty as a campus license. However, over time, the cost became prohibitive, so it is no longer provided.
- Fortunately, both NVivo and ATLAS.ti offer relatively inexpensive student licenses (for just over $100) that are more affordable than full commercial licenses.
- On the Lumivero NVivo site, student versions are listed with substantially lower pricing compared to full commercial licensing.
- Similarly, Atlas.ti offers student / academic licensing (or semester/term-based or multi-year student pricing)
- Because they are comparable in features and cost (in the academic/student domain), you can choose based on which one you feel more comfortable with or which has better support/resources for your work. Watch tutorial videos to get an idea of how each works.
