Discussion Board Forum 3 InstructionsDiscussion Board Forum 3 – Part A Go to www.qsrinternational.com. Download the free trial version of the software. Work through the various tutorials available

CLASSMATE 1 BY MATT YOUNG

NVIVO QUALITATIVE DATA REVIEW

I have used various types of software for business and personal life. The information programs I have used are salesforce.com, onepagecrm.com, and Microsoft office. The use of software for certain applications or tasks can be incredibly beneficial and I looked forward to this assignment to allow technology to help with my research. I am glad there is a 24-month based student edition ranging from $85 to $114. This program is something I will use and find useful for research and professional life. Organizing data can be difficult and time consuming, especially with all the different types of programs. Luckily, this program can merge them all together into a usable program. I do not believe it has changed my opinion about qualitative research methods. This is due because I did not have a strong opinion to begin with. I am not sure when but I will purchase this program for my DBA program research.

The tutorials to get started are rapid and straightforward to start using the program. The video-based learning shows how to import sources, articles, photos, survey monkey, e-mail, videos, or almost anything to use in in research. While importing the documentation, you can create codes with nodes for organization. Being able to see the number of files and sources used per topic will help strengthen an argument or claim. My initial areas are price, product, place, and promotion (see attached). Knowing the number of sources and file amounts can quickly show the strength of an argument and determine if merger of ideas should occur. The sections are taken from highlighting an area of interest and dragging it over to the specific area. This appears similar to the outline project due in week six, you can quickly see support for writing your paper, essay, or research as it populates the left side column.

Another useful section within NVivo is the visualization tools of charts, maps, diagrams, and sociograms. These tools can show a quick chart for the project, gauge patterns in the codes and nodes, provide brainstorming assistance, find keywords and relate them to the research, and evaluate social networks with graphical representation. Overall, I recommend you try to use this in research. If you have used excel and Facebook, then the process should be a smooth learning transition.

CLASSMATE 2 BY CHRISTY STRAND

Going into this assignment, I wasn’t really sure what to expect from a software system to help with qualitative research. I have a pretty good manual process going. Why would I want to pay money for a software program? The program ranges in price from $1,800-$2,400. After downloading the trial and exploring many of the features, I am convinced when I work on my final project this would be a worthy investment.

So far in my doctoral program, I’ve written many research papers, but the amount of data I have collected and worked with have been manageable using my manual process. The courses are only eight weeks, so for each project I can remember the data pretty well and know what I have. Once I really dive into the final project and spend a lengthy amount of time on it, there’s a good chance I won’t be able to remember everything I have read or collected. A program like this will be excellent to keep me organized.

The way the system works is that you create a project. Within the project you can import all types of files and categorize them like you would in folders on your computer. Then you can code the data and create nodes. One document can have multiple notes. You can get more specific and create sub-notes. This is all very similar to the basic filing system on your computer. Where it gets good is that you can use these nodes to create queries. The system will help you identify themes and frequently used words. It can put things together into a big picture for you. It’s like you dump in a bunch of puzzle pieces, and it categorizes them for you so you can put it together more efficiently.

In the data, you can make notes to yourself, so later you can read what you were thinking when you collected this information. You can record demographic attributes and bolographic data as you enter information. This call all be queried later to help in the final project. The program has several visualization features to help you create charts, maps, diagrams, and even sociograms.

The help files give suggestions and information on writing your project. It’s more than just a data collection program. It is designed to help someone develop a research project and guide you through it. The price tag is quite expensive, but overall given the importance of the final project to complete my degree program, it is priceless! I think this software, or something similar, would be a investment I would make in my research.

CLASSMATE 3 BY ELIZABETH HEDRICK

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Nvivo is a wonderful program. I was unaware of what to expect but delighted to have gotten the chance to explore the software.  There are a few options with this software Nvivo Pro or Plus.  Nvivo Plus is everything that Pro has but more with the ability to identify and analyze your themes and data for you, Plus also provides a more in-depth social media tool.  I enjoy organization and have folders everywhere in my life.  I have folders on my computer and on my desk.  Inside the Nvivo Pro program, I am able to convert all my folders and files into a project.  Creating the Nodes and moving items from one area to another.  This software brings all the data together and it does not matter what format is used.  Formats given in the tutorial are as follows; YouTube, Twitter conversations, PDFs, word documents, excel files, recorded files, video files, images, etc.  All the data from all the files and formats can be coded and labeled and the moved into the corresponding nodes.

            The Interview section really impressed me, I like that the recorded area can have a dictation portion and the dictation can be grabbed and placed in the project when needed.  The maps are able to identify relationships between areas of interest when brainstorming to get an overall picture.  This software has step by step tutorials and PDF instructions allowing an inexperienced user to feel comfortable with the product and all the resources the software can provide.

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