Qualitative Data Bootcamp: clean collection, de-identification, and analysis basics
Want some focused skill development time for your qualitative practice? Get ready to take care of and analyze qualitative research data: interview transcripts, surveys oral histories, focus groups, field notes, artistic expression, photovoice and more. Qualitative methods let us understand lived experiences and motivations, see a research question from different standpoints, and highlight contexts.
This bootcamp is for those trying to get a qualitative research project off the ground who would like support on different aspects across the research lifecycle. Starting with Data Management Planning, we will discuss data management during collection, qualitative data analysis fundamentals such as conducting the analysis, and end with effective ways of sharing data and communicating results. These tangible actions will work alongside more advanced questions about ethics and uncertainty.
We’ll practice hands-on with de-identification and open-source tools such as QualCoder for qualitative data analysis and introduce some techniques that can be used. Participants are not expected to have any prior knowledge of these tools when coming into the workshop. There will be both case studies as well as opportunities to work on your project and receive feedback in the moment.
During this bootcamp session, participants will learn to:
- Describe and contrast different qualitative data methodologies and be able to pick the most appropriate one for your project
- Prepare to record quality audio and develop a workflow for mixed methods data
- Apply some basic qualitative data analysis techniques using Taguette
- Experiment with de-identification, recording, and transcription
- Locate resources for data deposit and sharing of qualitative data and compare and contrast benefits and challenges
This session is great for qualitative researchers across all faculties, especially those working in Health Sciences, Social Sciences, and the Humanities. Whether you’re new to qualitative methods or looking to deepen your approach, you’ll find practical tools and insights to support your work.
Workshop Preparation
Fill out this 5-question survey to give us some fun data to work with during our session: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/JhhPZ4uGH4
Facilitator Bio
Danica Evering is a Research Data Management Specialist grounded in curiosity and a deep commitment to ethics. Danica is available to help students, postdocs, faculty, and staff with RDM through the data lifecycle—Data Management Plans, storage and backup, data security, data sharing. With an MA in Media Studies, Danica fosters active interest in RDM across disciplines, with a knack for engaging researchers who might not even realize they have data to manage. Outside of work they sing in a choir, play PC games, maintain an art writing practice, grow a garden, contribute Wikipedia articles, and run.
Isaac Pratt (he/him) is a research scientist by training and has a PhD in Anatomy & Cell Biology. He leverages nearly a decade of interdisciplinary research experience to help support students, staff, and faculty. His expertise lies in questions surrounding data storage, security, planning, archival, and sharing. Isaac also provides support and curation services for McMaster Dataverse. His other interests include reproducible research methods, open science, and data science.
Subhanya (she/her) brings a background of research in data justice, science and technology studies, and environmental humanities. She is currently thinking through participatory data design which allow for visualizations that are empowering for the end user.
Workshop Slides
Coming soon.