Literature Reviews and Documentary Analysis with SAM Collect (bookings closed)
Date:
07/12/2026
Organised by:
BigQualDataLabs Ltd
Presenter(s):
Dr Sam Martin
Level:
Entry (no or almost no prior knowledge)
Contact:
Dr Sam Martin
Email: drsam@bigqualdatalabs.com
Please contact us by email for course enquiries.
Venue: Online
Monday 7 December 2026, 10:30–12:00 GMT (UK time, Europe/London). Live online via Zoom with automatic English captions.
Registration will open soon. Please visit the course website for booking updates and enquiries.
Literature reviews and documentary studies involve decisions about which sources belong in a collection, what material is available and how different texts contribute to a research question. This introductory session connects source discovery and organisation with qualitative interpretation.
The tutor demonstrates two routes into SAM: collecting scholarly or public-document records through sources such as OpenAlex and GOV.UK, and importing materials already held by a researcher. Prepared examples illustrate search boundaries, relevance decisions and the differences between bibliographic metadata, abstracts, extracts and full text.
A focused coding example then examines how selected passages contribute to an initial comparison of scholarly and policy material. Topic and entity views help identify questions for closer reading. Researcher judgement guides inclusion, the analytical framework and the evidence required for a claim. The session explains where source discovery and qualitative comparison fit within a wider review design; comprehensive retrieval, critical appraisal and reporting require procedures appropriate to that design.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
1. Translate a review question into a bounded collection plan.
2. Distinguish the analytical possibilities of metadata, abstracts and full-text documents.
3. Explain a starting coding framework using selected source passages.
4. Develop an initial comparison with traceable evidence and stated limitations.
Audience and prerequisites
For researchers, doctoral students and practitioners planning a literature review, evidence overview or documentary study. Qualitative research familiarity is helpful. No previous SAM experience is required.
Practical output
A worked collection plan, an evidence-comparison template and an example of source-grounded synthesis.
Duration
90 minutes, including a five-minute screen break.
Trainer: Dr Sam Martin, digital sociologist and developer of Social Analysis of Meaning (SAM).
Course enquiries and accessibility requests: drsam@bigqualdatalabs.com.
Cost:
£60 standard / £40 student-access. Booking fees are included. No VAT is charged because BigQualDataLabs Ltd is not VAT registered.
Region:
Greater London
Keywords:
Qualitative Data Handling and Data Analysis, ICT and Software, Research Skills, Communication and Dissemination, Literature reviews, documentary analysis, secondary research, qualitative data analysis
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