Publisher Description

Qualitative content analysis is a powerful method for analyzing large amounts of qualitative data collected through interviews or focus groups. It is frequently employed by students, but introductory textbooks on content analysis have largely focused on the quantitative version of the method.In one of the first to focus on qualitative content analysis, Margrit Schreier takes students step-by step through:- creating a coding frame- segmenting the material- trying out the coding frame- evaluating the trial coding - carrying out the main coding- what comes after qualitative content analysis- making use of software when conducting qualitative content analysis.Each part of the process is described in detail and research examples are provided to illustrate each step. Frequently asked questions are answered, the most important points are summarized, and end of chapter questions provide an opportunity to revise these points. After reading the book, students are fully equiped to conduct their own qualitative content analysis.Designed for upper level undergraduate, MA, PhD students and researchers across the social sciences, this is essential reading for all those who want to use qualitative content analysis.

Author Biography

Margrit Schreier has been a professor of empirical research methods at Jacobs University, Bremen, Germany, since 2003 (BA/MA English Literature, Oxford; Diploma Psychology and PhD Psychology, Heidelberg University; Habilitation Psychology, University of Cologne). Her research interests include qualitative research methods and methodology, mixed methods, media psychology, empirical study of literature, and health research. She has been a principal investigator in several DFG-funded research projects on these topics, and she has authored and coauthored more than 90 book chapters and articles. She is coeditor of the issue "Qualitative and quantitative research: Conjunctions and divergences" of Forum: Qualitative Social Research (2001; with Nigel Fielding), coauthor of Forschungsmethoden in Psychologie und Sozialwissenschaften für Bachelor ([Research methods for psychology and the social sciences] with Walter Hussy and Gerald Echterhoff), and author of Qualitative Content Analysis in Practice (2012; SAGE).

Table of Contents

Introduction: What Is Qualitative Content Analysis?What Is Qualitative about Qualitative Content Analysis?Will Qualitative Content Analysis Work for Me? Decision AidsThe Coding FrameBuilding a Coding FrameStrategies for Building a Data-Driven Coding FrameSegmentation and Units of CodingTrying It Out: The Pilot PhaseWhat to Keep in Mind: Evaluating Your Coding FrameThe Main Analysis PhaseHow to Present Your ResultsUsing Software in Doing Qualitative Content Analysis

Review

This book provides a well written, clear and detailed account of QCA, highlighting the value of this research method for the analysis of social, political and psychological phenomena
Tereza Capelos
University of SurreySchreier writes clearly and with authority, positioning QCA in relation to other qualitative research methods and emphasising the hands-on aspects of the analysis process. She offers numerous illuminating examples and helpful pedagogical tools for the reader. This book will thus be most welcomed by students at different levels as well as by researchers.
Ulla Hällgren Graneheim
Umeå University, Sweden
This book has been written for students but would be of value to anyone considering using the analysis method to help them reduce and make sense of a large volume of textual data. [...]The content is detailed and presented in text-book style with key points, definitions and beginners' mistakes scattered throughout and frequently asked questions and end of chapter questions. These break up the text but also help when skimming. In addition, and what I found particularly valuable, was the liberal use of examples drawn from published papers. These really help to clarify and bring to life the issues raised. -- Nicola Singleton
Schreier provides several helpful educational tools, such as mid-chapter definitions, summaries and key-points....this is an excellent introductory or reference book for all students of content analysis -- Seth Fallik & JulhiAnn Francis

Review Quote

This book provides a well written, clear and detailed account of QCA, highlighting the value of this research method for the analysis of social, political and psychological phenomena Tereza CapelosUniversity of Surrey Schreier writes clearly and with authority, positioning QCA in relation to other qualitative research methods and emphasising the hands-on aspects of the analysis process. She offers numerous illuminating examples and helpful pedagogical tools for the reader. This book will thus be most welcomed by students at different levels as well as by researchers. Ulla H

Details