Big Qualitative Data Analysis
The innovation forum in big qualitative data analysis was co-organised by Sophie Woodward (The University of Manchester), Laura Radcliffe (University of Liverpool) and Kirsty Pattrick (Mass Observation Archive). In its earlier stages, the event received input from Ali Hanbury.
Utilising creative methods – such as diaries, poetry, object-based interviews and special mapping – generates a vast mass of ‘big qual data’. Data are textured, multi-modal, from which researchers can gain deep and rich insights and knowledge. Epistemic approaches to the analysis of such data are complex. Analytical practices vary and developing skills, techniques and approaches to such complex data is lacking.
This forum took place at the Mass Observation Archive. It explored a series of questions and engaged in hands on practices of analysing data together. The event brought together a selection of leading creative and qualitative researchers with expertise and insight on big qualitative methods of analysis.
Outputs
The event generated a number of resources. These include four video interviews showcasing diverse approaches to analysis of big qual data and a co-authored resource on the core questions and challenges that were addressed during the event.
Big qualitative data: creative ways of working with qualitative analysis at scale
This resource is for anyone who is committed to the importance of qualitative research but also recognises the complexities of working with ‘qualitative data. In particular in this resource we pick up the challenges and possibilities of working with ‘big qualitative data’.
This resource is for a range of career stages: you might be doing a PhD, research in the public sector or be a well-established academic. The kinds of data you work with could include diary studies, creative projects using multiple methods or analysing secondary data in the Mass Observation Archive.
There are multiple forms that big data takes when we think about qualitative research and in this resource we try to speak to this range. This document doesn’t provide all the answers but gives you the challenges, debates and resources you can consult and steps to take.
Interviews
Big Qualitative Diary Data
Laura Radcliffe and Leighann Spencer (both at University of Liverpool) discuss their approaches to big qualitative data generated from diary methods. They outline two key approaches: thematic trajectory analysis and event diagram analysis.
Mass Observation Archive
Kirsty Pattrick (Mass Observation Archive, University of Sussex) here outlines the scope of the Mass Observation Archive – including what types of data it holds, what makes it ‘big’ (longitudinal, wide range of topics and observers) and some approaches that have been taken to analysis (thematic, narrative, longitudinal and comparative approaches).
Corpus Linguistics Approaches to Big Qual Data Analysis
Justyna Robinson (University of Sussex) here outlines corpus linguistics as an approach to data analysis. This approach analyses patterns of meaning in language and she here outlines how computer-based methods can be used to analyse language in big qualitative data sets.
The Breadth-and-Depth Approach to Big Qual Data Analysis
In this video, four speakers discuss the approach to analysing big qual data that they co-developed. The approach is the ‘breadth and depth’ approach, and the four speakers are: Susie Weller (University of Oxford), Emma Davidson (University of Edinburgh), Ros Edwards (University of Southampton) and Lynn Jamieson (University of Edinburgh).