Short Course on Text Analysis Systematic Techniques for Analyzing Qualitative Data

Supported by the National Science Foundation Duke Marine Labs, Beaufort, North Carolina, July 14-18, 2008

Instructors

Clarence C. Gravlee, Department of Anthropology, University of Florida, Phone: (352) 392-2253 (ext 249). Email: cgravlee@ufl.edu

Amber Wutich, School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Phone: (480) 965-9010. Email: Amber.Wutich@asu.edu

Course Overview

Description

This five-day course for professional anthropologists lays out a broad range of systematic methods for analyzing qualitative data (e.g., text and images) and provides guidance on when the methods should be used. We will cover the basics of qualitative research, including: techniques for identifying themes, tips for developing and using codebooks, and suggestions on how to produce qualitative descriptions, make systematic comparisons, and build and formally test models. The course will concentrate on three major traditions of analysis: grounded theory, content analysis, and semantic analysis.

We will emphasize hands-on data analysis exercises to illustrate the complementary strengths of different methods for analyzing qualitative data. The course is not a workshop in how to use software, but we will show participants how recent advances in hardware and software can facilitate the recording and transcribing of text and how software (including Microsoft Word & Excel, Atlas.ti, MAXqda, EZText, Anthropac, and UCINet) can be used to facilitate the analysis of qualitative data.

Readings will be available on the course web page (participants will be asked to read the materials prior to the course so we can concentrate on hands-on learning). Classes will be divided between lectures and labs where participants will analyze real data. At the end of the course, participants should be able to use the various methods presented in the analysis of their own data and to demonstrate the methods to their students and colleagues.

Course requirements

All participants are expected to come with a laptop that can run Windows-based programs. (Mac users may need to install software to emulate a Windows environment.) Participants will need to have Microsoft Word & Excel loaded on their computers and will be asked to download and install additional demo or free software before arriving at methods camp.

Course Readings

Required

Required readings are marked with an asterisk (*) in the schedule.

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research. If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of fair use that user may be liable for copyright infringement. These materials are made available for the educational purposes of participants in the University of Florida's Short Courses on Research Methods in Cultural Anthropology. No further reproduction, transmission, or electronic distribution of this material is permitted.

Recommended Reference Texts

Bernard, H.R., 2002. Research Methods in Anthropology, 3 rd Edition . Sage Publications.

Dey, I. 1993. Qualitative Data Analysis: A User Friendly Guide for Social Scientists. London: Routledge.

Krippendorf, K. 1980. Content Analysis: An Introduction to its Methodology. 2nd edition. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications.

Miles, M.B., & A.M. Huberman. 1994. Qualitative Data Analysis: an Expanded Sourcebook, 2nd Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Neuendorf, K.A. 2002. The Content Analysis Guidebook . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Corbin, Juliet M., and Anselm C. Strauss. 2008. Basics of Qualitative
Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Weller, S.C. & A.K. Romney. 1988. Systematic Data Collection. Newbury Park, CA, Sage Publications.

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