NRS-433V Topic 2 DQ 1

NRS-433V Topic 2 DQ 1

Qualitative data has been described as voluminous and sometimes overwhelming to the researcher. In what ways could a researcher manage and organize the data?

Most qualitative data is “Unstructured Data” which can come in the form of documents, images, audio, and video.

The easiest things we can do to make Unstructured Data more useful for analysis are:

1) Keeping copies of important information.A data management system should also be backed up and backups updated as data preparation and analysis proceeds.

2) Arranging field notes or researcher commentary in a chronological, genre, cast-of-characters, event or activity, topical or quantitative data file schema.

3) Creating a system for labeling and storing interviews. This includes a unique name or case identifier for each file that communicates crucial information about the file to researchers.

4) Cataloging all documents and artifacts.

5) Providing for the safe storage of all materials.

6) Checking for missing data.

7) Developing a process for reading and reviewing text.

These steps for managing qualitative databases can be applied to both manual and electronic analyses.

Isaac. “7 Steps for Managing Qualitative Data.” Academic Transcription Services, 3 Sept. 2015, weloty.com/7-steps-managing-qualitative-data/.