Introduction/Overview

Using dedicated software tools to undertake evidence reviews can strengthen results because the analytic procedures used can be structured and systematised to a greater degree than is possible when using general purpose software. This enables processes to be documented (enhancing transparency in analytic method), and results to be systematically evidenced (enhancing reliability and validity). This course introduces the integrated use of bibliographic software and MAXQDA (one of the leading qualitative data analysis software programs which is widely used for applied and academic research) for undertaking evidence reviews.

The course highlights and discusses the principles of harnessing these tools powerfully, provides an overview of the range of tools available and the data management and analytic possibilities provided by them. Common tasks are undertaken and discussed as a group, and participants are guided through practical hands-on exercises using sample data provided by the tutor. In addition, participants can set-up an analysis using their own materials, with support from the tutor. Examples are demonstrated drawn from different types of evidence review to illustrate the flexibility of software tools, to enable participants to think creatively about options and plan for their use of tools. The trial version of MAXQDA is sufficient for the purposes of attending this course.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the workshop participants will:

• understand the role and relative strengths of using MAXQDA and other digital tools for undertaking evidence reviews
• be familiar with and have experience in using core MAXQDA tools for undertaking different types of evidence review
• be able to plan and implement an evidence review through integrated use of bibliographic tools and MAXQDA
• be able to transfer the principles of integrated use of bibliographic and qualitative data analysis software, if using different software

Topics

During the course we will cover:

• Planning an evidence review in the context of software use
• Managing evidence in bibliographic tools
• Overview of MAXQDA components for undertaking evidence reviews
• Importing from bibliographic tools into MAXQDA
• Working directly with evidence within MAXQDA (searching, annotating and coding)
• Working indirectly with evidence via MAXQDA (developing structured appraisals and analysing them)
• Organising factual characteristics relating to evidence materials in MAXQDA
• Organising the conceptual ideas driving evidence reviews using MAXQDA
• Interrogating patterns and relationships across evidence using MAXQDA query tools
• Generating output reports and representing results using MAXQDA quantitative and visual tools

Who will benefit?

Researchers and research commissioners in need of a refresher or who are new to the use of dedicated software for evidence reviews

Course Tutor

Christina Silver, PhD, is a researcher and teacher of qualitative data analysis methods and software, specializing in all the major tools, including ATLAS.ti, Dedoose, Discovertext, f4analyse, MAXQDA, QDA Miner, Qualrus, NVivo, and Transana. She manages the CAQDAS Networking Project, University of Surrey, providing information, advice, training, and ongoing support in software for qualitative and mixed-methods analysis. Christina also undertakes research, training, and consultancy via QDA Services Ltd. and is co-author of Using Software in Qualitative Research: A Step-by-Step Guide (SAGE 2014), and Qualitative Analysis Using MAXQDA: The Five-Level QDA® Method (Routledge 2018). Christina has trained many thousands of researchers and students in qualitative methods/software since 1998.

  This course contributes 6 hours to the MRS CPD programme

n.b. This course runs over two consecutive afternoons:

Part 1 - 14 March - 1.30 pm to 5.00 pm

Part 2 - 15 March - 1.30 pm to 5.00 pm