Enhance your qualitative data analysis skills in this three-day course focused on thematic analysis, featuring hands-on experience with NVivo software (also suitable for MAXQDA or ATLAS.ti users).
What Is This Course About?
This three-day online course equips participants with essential knowledge and skills for analyzing qualitative data, including interviews, documents, media, and social media. We will focus on thematic analysis, a versatile method for uncovering meaningful patterns and themes in data and explore its application across various theoretical and empirical contexts. Participants will also gain hands-on experience applying techniques and tools from two popular methods: Reflexive Thematic Analysis and Codebook Thematic Analysis, primarily using NVivo software, though participants already working in other CAQDAS platforms (e.g., MAXQDA, ATLAS.ti) are also welcome to follow along with their own tool.
Learning Goals
1. Gain foundational knowledge of thematic analysis for identifying patterns in qualitative data.
2. Develop skills in identifying patterns and themes using CAQDAS.
3. Practice Reflexive and Codebook Thematic Analysis methods.
4. Learn to align analysis strategies with your research goals and context.
5. Evaluate approaches to ensure the reliability and validity of your qualitative findings.
Recommended Readings for the Course
1. Kekez, A. (2019). “Qualitative data analysis in implementation and street - level bureaucracy research”. In: P. Hupe (Ed.) Research Handbook on Street-Level Bureaucracy: The Ground Floor of Government in Context (pp. 317-336). Cheltenham, UK and Northampton, MA, USA: Edward Elgar Publishing.
2. Braun, V., Clarke, V., Hayfield, N.& Terry, G. (2019). Thematic analysis. In P. Liamputtong (Ed.), Handbook of Research Methods in Health Social Sciences (pp. 843-860). Singapore: Springer.
3. Miles, M. & Huberman, A.M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage (second edition) – chapters 4 & 5
Assignments for the Course
2 ECTS points can be obtained by actively taking part in all course activities (80%), by delivering two daily assignments (short reflection or small task with sample data provided by instructor). The course involves exercises with sample data provided by the instructor, made available in formats compatible with NVivo, MAXQDA, and ATLAS.ti. While these exercises will foster the use of NVivo basic functionalities, there is no need for prior familiarisation with NVivo nor for purchasing the software, as we will be able to use a 14-day free trial version.
Schedule
- 9-11.30h: Asynchronous activity (lecture video tutorial, fun follow up quiz and/or daily homework)
- 11.30-12.30h Time for break and lunch
- 12.30-14.00h: Interactive lecture and hands-on work in CAQDAS with sample data
- 14:00 -14:30h: Break
- 14.30-16.00h: Interactive lecture and independent small group work
Office hours: 16.45-17.45h
In addition, while daily homework will be part of the asynchronous activities, students should allocate sufficient time to read the assigned literature in advance.
Who Is Your Instructor?
Anka Kekez is an Assistant Professor of Public Policy and Governance at the Faculty of Political Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia. She has extensive experience teaching and mentoring qualitative data analysis at both foundational and advanced levels, using a range of analytical techniques and software tools, including NVivo. In 2022, she received the MethodsNET Pedagogical Excellence Award for her teaching in qualitative data analysis courses. She is a co-chair of the Policymaking Dynamics Research Group of the European Network for Public Administration and has co-chaired the Public Policy Study Group of the European Group for Public Administration since 2022. Since 2023, Anka has been active in the Methods Excellence Network (MethodsNET) as an Executive Board member and co-convenor of the Qualitative and Interpretive Community.
Dr Anka Kekez Koštro
Lecturer Konstanz Methods Excellence Workshops
