Replying to LO18850 --
I haven't posted before because of lack of time, however, I can't help
adding my "two cents" on NUD*IST. While it is a helpful software package
it is not the cure-all for qualitative research. What is does do is to
help one get organized by forcing one to think of possible categories as
one reads through the data. The data is entered at the same time
categories are developed OR one can develop possible categories and THEN
modify them when one is inputting data. Personally, I had better luck
with the later.
Second, NUD*IST is great for running reports on the data. For example, if
you notice the word "BUT" is appearing often while inputting the data you
can run reports on how often, by what gender, etc.
In conclusion, I use BOTH old fashioned ways of categorzing data and
noticing patterns AND NUD*IST to develop theories or models emerging from
the raw data.
Kimberly Dawn Blum
Ph.D. student
At 11:43 PM 8/17/98 EDT, you wrote:
>NUD*IST is a helpful software, I've heard. In all my years doing
>qualitative research, though, I've always just gone with the old system --
>doing clustering and identifying themes et al by spreading it all out on
>the living room floor, or taping it all up on some walls. Crude, but
>effective.
--KIM <dawn1@flex.net>
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