Tonight I watched Drs. Michelle Salmona and Dr. Grummert speak about analysis of survey data with Dedoose. They are from the Institute of Mixed Methods Research. They offer virtual learning series and a “Bring Your Own Data Research Camp.” With Dedoose, they noted you have media that can be transcripts, images, video, audio, and survey data. Descriptors are quantitative or categorical data tied to the media files: often these can be multiple-choice questions, demographics, scores or survey results, and research sites. The presenters noted they can be used for project management too. Excerpts are smaller pieces or snippets of your data. Codes are words or phrases applied to an except to capture a theme or topic of interest. Memos can be added as notes to document analysis, reflexive thoughts, and notes. Memos can also be used to communicate with team members. Dedoose will use survey data (spreadsheets) and connect descriptors to media. One media file is created per participant/response. Survey tools produce spreadsheet output but the data needs to be cleaned, formatted, organized… Data organization may involve categorizing for grouping purposes. Both data preparation (cleaning) and organization (categorizing) will help with input into Dedoose and analysis. The presenters recommended using an Excel sheet and columns for descriptors (demographics, multiple choice/Likert scale questions, categorical or quantitative information). The example they shared had as a column title the _ddqual_ tag. The first column is always an identification number. In their example, the first column was participant ID, some information, Likert data, and qualitative data. Dedoose will automatically include descriptors. Dedoose can handle box qualitative and quantitative data. Dedoose precoded the data imported from a survey spreadsheet. The media workspace will have all open ended questions per participant. Dedoose precodes and includes the descriptors. To run quantitative analysis, the descriptors should be numerical. Descriptor ratios provides quick visuals of the breakdown of descriptors. The charts can be pie charts or bar graphs linked to the excerpts. The Descriptor x Descriptor option allows you to segment data responses. Dedoose can perform basic statistical analyses of the data. You can code by question or participant. The presenters ended by sharing the Dedoose Textbook that includes case studies.
