ABSTRACT
The introduction of machines into areas of human activity has always provoked a mixture of fascination and wariness. This chapter describes the use of computers in qualitative data analysis into a social and pragmatic context. It addresses firstly the way that computers have been promoted as solving the problems of the qualitative analysts and secondly explores some of the pragmatic questions a researcher must resolve in the use of qualitative computing. The advent of cheap computing power has certainly brought the collection and analysis of large quantitative data sets within the personal scope of researchers. Researchers engaging in computer-assisted methods of qualitative analysis, however, are likely to encounter little in the way of either support or equipment. Transcription of audiotaped interviews is the other main source of electronic files for qualitative analysis. Sonar is regularly updated to improve its support for wordprocessors and its accessibility.
