ABSTRACT
If your project is primarily qualitative in nature, such as the examination of records, focus group discussions or interview transcripts, a recognised qualitative technique of data collection and analysis will be needed. This can be approached in many different ways. Qualitative projects are frequently small, detailed accounts of a few cases or a closely related situation, although projects may be longitudinal or comparative. Generally, qualitative analyses are much more time consuming to conduct than statistical analyses and are frequently less than straightforward in concept. As with quantitative procedures, you will need to justify the approach and the method of analysis adopted in your final report. Qualitative analyses can either be approached manually, which is the traditional approach, or they may be computer-assisted. In either case, it is vital that you are clear about what you are attempting to do. Qualitative methods may take a number of approaches so that, whilst some projects are clearly defined from the start, others take form and substance as data accumulates and become subject to ongoing analysis. However, all projects benefit from advance planning, although qualitative analysis is very often a process of the exploration of emerging ideas and concepts.
