Advanced NVivo topics: Running queries, using framework matrices,
auto-coding, and classifications and attributes
An ISSR Short Course by Jackie Stein
Date: Monday, March 11, 2013
Time: 2:00-4:00 pm
Location: ISSR Training Lab W37E Machmer Hall (3rd Floor, West Wing)
Click here to register for this workshop
Description:
This workshop is targeted to intermediate users of NVivo – those who have begun coding their data, and need help getting started exploring it through queries. I have picked a few useful “advance topics,” but, because all user needs are different, not all topics will be relevant to all users. Thus, this will be a very hands-on workshop based on the interests of those who attend. It is best suited for those who have some data coded in NVivo that they are ready to explore. Please specify your learning interests in the registration form, so I can tailor this workshop to meet your needs.
Some potential topics include:
Queries are NVivo’s main tool for parsing out specific subsets of coded information. Once data has been coded, NVivo can create multi-layered searches that help researchers test hypotheses and look for patterns in the data.
Framework matrices provide a way to summarize or condense your source materials in a grid that has rows for case nodes (for example, people you interviewed) and columns for theme nodes. Each cell in the grid represents the intersection of a case and theme— when you enter text into the cell you can create a summary of the source content relevant to that case and theme (see figure). Summarizing source content allows you to condense large volumes of interview material into more manageable quantities and can help you to gain insight and familiarity with your data.
Auto-coding is a tool for parsing interview data at the broadest level. For example, if formatted correctly, NVivo can code interview data such that each speaker’s words are coded to a node identified as that speaker. Or, in a structured interview, all of the responses to question 3 could be coded to the same node.
Classifications and Attributes allow you to assign demographic and other characteristics to your case nodes. A classification specifies what kind of case your node is, for example, an interviewee, and attributes are the various characteristics about which you have collected information from your interviewees (age, occupation, etc). NVivo can create charts to provide summary demographic data about your cases and you can also use these attributes to query your data. For example, you could search for where someone of a particular age spoke about a particular theme.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own computers with NVivo 10 installed (free copies are available to SBS faculty, staff, and students – go here to register), but ISSR laptops will also be available for use, by reservation. Participants who will use ISSR laptops are strongly encouraged to bring their NVivo project files on USB drives or saved to the internet.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
• Choose the appropriate query for their needs;
• Run, save, and specify queires;
• Set up documents for auto-coding;
• Use NVivo’s autocode function in importing documents;
• Set up framework matrices;
• Create classifications and attributes in NVivo; and
• Set up spreadsheets of classifications and attributes for importing into NVivo.