Qualitative_data_analysis

138 QUALITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS
in terms of the categories used in our analysis. For example, we want to be able to
look at all the databits which have been assigned to a particular category
(Illustration 10.1).
ILLUSTRATION 10.1
COMPARING DATABITS ASSIGNED TO DIFFERENT
CATEGORIES
Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4 Category 5
Databit 1 Databit 2 Databit 1 Databit 3 Databit 4
Databit 7 Databit 3 Databit 5 Databit 5 Databit 6
Databit 9 Databit 4 Databit 7 Databit 8 Databit 9
etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.
Returning to our example of Vincent’s letters, let us take as an example the
category ‘suffering’. We can now look at all the databits which have been assigned
this category during our initial analysis (Illustration 10.2).
This bald list of databits has its drawbacks. By abstracting the data from its original
context, there is an obvious danger of misunderstanding or misinterpretation. For
each databit, though, we may also hold information about the case to which it
belongs, the date when it was categorized, the original context from which it comes
and so on. This information may be vital to our interpretation of the data.
ILLUSTRATION 10.2
DATABITS ASSIGNED TO THE CATEGORY ‘SUFFERING’
Suffering
1. Will life never treat me decently? I am wracked by despair! My head is
pounding.
2. Now she is upset because it won’t fit her mouth!
3. I tried forcing the false plate in but it sticks out like a star burst chandelier.
4. She claims she can’t chew!
5. Then he lacks accuracy and once inside a mouth, he knocks out more teeth
than he saves.
6. I grew flushed and dizzy. I ran from the office into the air where I could breathe!
I blacked out for several days and woke up at the seashore.
7. When I returned, she was still in the chair.
8. God! I have not a penny left even for Novocaine! Today I pulled a tooth and
had to anesthetize the patient by reading him some Dreizer.
etc. etc.