Interpretive Qualitative Data Analysis: an introduction

This informal and discursive event will draw directly from Karen O’Reilly’s book, Qualitative Research Methods for Everyone, Chapter 8. It begins by reminding attendees of the logic of interpretive Qualitative Research and outlines why Karen insists Qualitative Data Analysis requires Interpretation. We will also briefly discuss thematic analysis.

We then go into more detail into the nine heuristics Karen proposes should guide IQDA.

These are: Learning as you go; Inductive immersion; Annotating; Coding; Sensitising; Seeking coherence; Memoing; Iterating; and Being Reflexive.

These heuristics (or models) will be discussed with examples from Karen’s own work and participants will be encouraged to relate them to their own research plans, through discussion.

In such a short session, we cannot hope to cover everything you need to know about IDA or qualitative data analysis. The emphasis is on it being a brief but enticing introduction.

The event is designed for students, academics, and practitioners working in diverse applied settings, such as nursing and charity work.