Using secondary qualitative data

in interdisciplinary contexts

Libby BishopESDS Qualidata, University of Essex

Working Across Boundaries: 2nd NCRM Summer SchoolUniversity of Southampton

13 September 2006

Qualitative data collections

• Data from Economic and Social Research Council awards

• Data from ‘classic’ social science studies

• Other funders and sources

Types of qualitative data

• Diverse data types: in-depth interviews; semi-structured interviews; focus groups; oral histories; mixed methods data; open-ended survey questions; case notes/records of meetings; diaries/research diaries

• Some multimedia: audio, video, photos

• Formats: digital, paper, analogue audio-visual

Supporting Documentation• Examples

– Funding application– Description of methodology– Communication with informants on confidentiality– Coding schemes / themes– Technical details of equipment – Interview schedules– End of award report– Documentation from CAQDAS software packages, e.g.,

analytical memos– Bibliographies, resulting publications

• Anything that adds insight or aids understanding and secondary usage

Uses of existing qualitative data for secondary analysis

• Case for today: research questions already specified

• Helpful to think of comparison with literature review– Lit review covers findings, with

breadth– “Data review” covers data, in

depth

Strategies for SA: qualitative data

• Content knowledge: search catalogue to locate and download relevant studies– Thematic guides

• Methods knowledge: explore supporting documentation– User guides for each study

• Web searching and browsing– Qualidata Online

Methods knowledge: exploiting user guides

• Search on health+youth produces:

• SN 5057: “Critical incidents and health-related behaviour of children”

• Young peoples’ perceptions of self and health behaviours

• Mixed methods

Exploring qualitative data

• ESDS Qualidata sitehttp://www.esds.ac.uk/qualidata/

• UK Data Archive Cataloguehttp://www.esds.ac.uk/search/

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