Explore the Health Issue and Set Priorities

Qualitative analysis

Qualitative analysis tries to identify the “whys” behind existing practices and conditions. Anthropologists are trained to be able to assist with this kind of analysis, and you may want to consider working with one to help the group. There are many ways to analyze qualitative information, as shown in the table on the following page.

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Methods for Qualitative Data Analysis1 Summary of Qualitative Data Analysis Media
Medium of analysis Uses Benefits over other media Drawbacks System requirements Ability to learn on own

 
By hand Low-tech analysis of interview data Ease of use, low cost, "closeness" to data Cumbersome with large amounts of data Pen, paper, scissors, and large space for organizing (e.g. table) High potential

 
Search tools in word processors Simple search and retrieve, simple coding; macros for repetitive tasks such as coding schemes For those who already use word processors, it is a free and simple addition Does not allow very complex searches, cumbersome Windows 3.1-Win 95, Win98; Word 6-8 or WordPerfect 6-8 word processor High potential

 
Search and retrieve software
1) dtSearch
2) ZyIndex		 Complicated search and retrieve in files saved in various text formats Can search files saved in nearly all text formats, allows complex searches Expensive, limited use outside of searching Windows 3.1-Win95, Win98; and word processor High potential

 
Programs for semi-structured data
3) CDC EZ text		 For creating, coding, managing, and analyzing semi-structured data Data can be copied into the templates from word processing documents; data can be exported in a variety of formats Requires a lot of time for training and for coding data Windows 3.1-Win95, Win98, WinNT (versions 3.51 and 4.0) Medium potential

 
Integrated coding and model-building
4) Ethnograph version
5.05) NUD*IST
6) ATLAS/ti		 Search and retrieval, hypertext, theory development Many useful qualitative analysis tools and output formats, link to quantitative software Expensive, complicated; requires extensive training Windows 3.1-Win95, Win98 Low potential

 
Software for semi-structured data
7) ANTHROPAC		 Menu-driven DOS program for analyzing of sorting, ranking, and listing Only software for this type of data, good manuals Requires extensive training in data entry and analysis DOS, or Windows 3.1-Win95, Win98 Low potential

If the core group and the program team do the analysis without the aid of a specialist, here are some things to keep in mind as you review qualitative information:

  • Be careful to refer to the actual phrases and words that respondents used rather than try to interpret them in your own words, particularly when the same phrases appear a number of times throughout the notes, transcripts, or tapes.
  • Avoid starting with a predefined framework that you then try to fill in with the results of qualitative research. This approach, while seemingly organized and systematic, may force information into a paradigm that is not consistent with how local people actually perceive the issue and may cause you to miss important areas of potential intervention later on. It is better to start with the raw data, look for common themes, and highlight them. Let local participants then put the pieces together to show how they relate to one another. This is particularly important for health professionals who may be seeing the universe with a more health-services focused “lens” than community members.
  • Be aware of the diversity of individual and group respondents and take care not to lump all responses together when this may cause you to miss important distinctions between how individuals or groups think and act.
  • Try to keep focused on the major issues and underlying themes rather than get lost in debating the details. When the participants have a better idea of the big issues and have set priorities, they can return to the details related to priority concerns.