Training Course in Qualitative Data Analysis & Interpretation with Atlas.ti

Course Description

Many researchers nowadays collect data through a mixed methods approach. Consequently, our world is exploding with data – text from interviews and FGDs transcripts, videos, social media and more. Making sense of it without the right research tools is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Atlas.ti is a powerful workbench for the qualitative data analysis of large bodies of textual, graphical, audio, and video data. It offers a variety of tools for accomplishing the tasks associated with any systematic approach to unstructured data. This course will provide both a conceptual background and practical experience in computer assisted qualitative data analysis (CAQDA) using Atlas.ti. The course examines core elements of CAQDA, the logic of the ATLAS.ti program, and how it can function as a tool for CAQDA. The course will also provide participants with the strategic understanding and applied skills in planning, conducting, analyzing, and reporting findings from qualitative research. At the end of the course, participants will be able to plan, conduct, and critically assess the quality of the qualitative data gathered during their data collection process.

Target Audience

This course targets research scientist and practitioners with basic knowledge in qualitative research but keen on updating their skills and competence in qualitative data analysis. Beginners as well as specialists in the fields of Social Sciences, Statistics, Anthropology, Sociology, Community Development, Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Market Research, Agriculture, Economics, Food Security and Livelihoods, Nutrition, Education, Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Health Economics, Epidemiology, Demography, Population Studies and anyone with an interest in qualitative research will benefit immensely from undertaking the course.

Course Objectives

By the end of this program, participants should be able to:

• Understand the fundamentals of qualitative research
• Understand qualitative data collection and analysis methods
• Appreciate the role of Atlas.ti in the research process
• Set up a project in Atlas.ti and explore the function of Atlas.ti
• Upload primary documents into the hermeneutic units
• Undertake deductive and inductive qualitative data coding using Atlas.ti
• Distinguish among open, axial and selective coding
• Identify specific methods that enhance rigor in qualitative data analysis
• Use Atlas.ti in data analysis following an approach emphasizing data integration, organization, and constant documentation of the process
• Justify decision making with sound findings and evidence-based recommendations
• Write a qualitative research report

Training Methodology

The training consists of both instruction and hands-on exercises in Atlas.ti. The course is designed to be highly interactive, challenging and stimulating. It will be an instructor led training and will be delivered using a blended learning approach comprising of presentations, discussions, guided sessions of practical exercise, web based tutorials, group work and exploration of relevant issues. Our facilitators are seasoned industry experts with years of experience, working as professional and trainers in these fields. All facilitation and course materials will be offered in English.

Course Content

Foundations of Qualitative Research and Qualitative Data Analysis

• Qualitative versus quantitative research
• Concepts in designing qualitative research
• Data collection methods in qualitative research
• History of qualitative data analysis
• Approaches in qualitative data analysis
• Principles, features and types of qualitative data analysis
• Strategies for analyzing observations
• Steps in qualitative data analysis
• Computer-assisted qualitative data analysis.

Introduction to Atlas.ti

• What is ATLAS.ti and what does ti do?
• A work model for ti
• Differences of ATLAS.ti from other similar software
• What is the Hermeneutic Unit?
• Layout of the Hermeneutic Unit
• Save as copy bundle and backup
• Is team work possible?

Components of an Atlas.ti Project.

• What is the project?
• Objects of the ti project?
• Starting a new project
• Creating, saving and commenting on the ti project
• Importing data
• Add and load source documents to the individual library or the team library.
• Accessing the documents through the Navigator and in the Manager
• Commenting on primary documents
• Organizing primary documents into families

Importing survey data

• Preparing data before import: Symbols and format
• Understand the results of the import: Automatically created quotations

Organizing Documents in Groups/Families.

• Definitions and applications.
• Using folders – Creating groups/families.

Data Segmentation

• Selecting segments in the documents and creating free quotations
• Renaming quotations
• Commenting quotations

Writing Reflections in the Form of Memos

• The Research Diary memo
• Using the Research Diary memo to describe the data segmentation process
• Incorporating quotations into the memo
• Linking memos to quotations and codes

Coding in Atlas.ti

• Constructing and deploying a coding scheme
• How to code text files (e.g., doc, rtf), PDFs, pictures, audio and video files
• Two approaches: inductive and deductive coding
• Creating codes inductively – In vivo and Open Coding
• Creating codes deductively: Free codes
• Auto-coding: Reasons for auto-coding; Combine auto-coding with word cruncher
• Adding quotations and comments
• Organize a code structure: Use prefixes to group codes; Use colours to distinguish codes; Group codes into code families
• Create code families (setup to scope your queries)
• View coding output

Other Useful Tools in Atlas.ti

• Memos vs. comments: What are memos and how to use memos effectively?
• Create memo families
• What are variables (attributes) and why are they important?

Data Exploration and Analysis

• Semantic linkages between codes
  • Definitions and applications
  • Linking the codes
  • Representing the linkage graphically

Word Frequency Counts: The Word Cruncher

• Producing output as a spreadsheet
• Producing output as word cloud
• Filtering by document family
• Exception list

Co-occurrences

• What is a co-occurrence and why is it important?
• Approaches to identify co-occurrences
• The Code Co-occurrence output
• The Code Co-occurrence Explorer
• The Code co-occurrence tree
• The Code Co-occurrence Table

The Query Tool

• The query tool: What questions to ask my data?
• Scoping the query
• Using and, or, and not
• Filtering the query by documents and families
• Checking query results
• Saving queries with super codes

Operators

• Boolean operators (emphasis);
• Semantic operators;
• Proximity operators

Data analysis and exploration

• Quotation and Word count
• Co-occurrence table
• Word cruncher and the word cloud
• Codes-primary documents table

Modeling – Using Network Views to Visualize Data

• What is a network view?
• How to create a network view from existing elements in your project?
• How to create a network view from scratch?
• Export your network view(s)

Team Work

• Using ATLAS.ti for team projects
• Strategies for bringing work together

Reporting and Presenting Qualitative Research Findings

Requirements: Participants should be reasonably proficient in English. Applicants must live up to Phoenix Center for Policy, Research and Training admission criteria.

NOTE

1. Discounts: Organizations sponsoring Four Participants will have the 5th attend Free
2. What is catered for by the Course Fees: Fees caters for all requirements for the training – Learning materials, Lunches, Teas, Snacks and Certification. All participants will additionally cater for their travel and accommodation expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.
3. Certificate Awarded: Participants are awarded Certificates of Participation at the end of the training.
4. The program content shown here is for guidance purposes only. Our continuous course improvement process may lead to changes in topics and course structure.
5. Approval of Course: Our Programs are NITA Participating organizations can therefore claim reimbursement on fee paid in accordance with NITA Rules.

How to Book: Simply send an email to the Training Officer on training@phoenixtrainingcenter.com and we will send you a registration form. We advise you to book early to avoid missing a seat to this training.

Or call us on: +254720272325 / +254737566961

Payment Options: We provide 3 payment options, choose one for your convenience, and kindly make payments at least 5 days before the Training start date in order to reserve your seat:

1. Groups of 5 People and Above – Cheque Payments to: Phoenix Center for Policy, Research and Training Limited should be paid in advance, 5 days to the training.
2. Invoice: We can send a bill directly to you or your company.
3. Deposit directly into Bank Account (Account details provided upon request)

Cancellation Policy

1. Payment for the all courses includes a registration fee, which is non-refundable, and equals 15% of the total sum of the course fee.
2. Participants may cancel attendance 14 days or more prior to the training commencement date.
3. No refunds will be made 14 days or less to the training commencement date. However, participants who are unable to attend may opt to attend a similar training at a later date, or send a substitute participant provided the participation criteria have been met.

Tailor Made Courses

This training course can also be customized for your institution upon request to a minimum of 5 participants. You can have it delivered at our Training Centre or at a convenient location.

For further inquiries, please contact us on Tel: +254720272325 / +254737566961 or Email training@phoenixtrainingcenter.com

Accommodation: Accommodation is arranged upon request and at extra cost. For reservations contact the Training Officer on Email: training@phoenixtrainingcenter.com or on Tel: +254720272325 / +254737566961