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Qualitative_data_analysis

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Glossary<br />

Associating categories the process of identifying correlations between categories as<br />

a basis for inferring substantive connections.<br />

Bit of <strong>data</strong> a part of the <strong>data</strong> which is regarded as a separate ‘unit of meaning’ for<br />

the purpose of the <strong>analysis</strong>.<br />

Categorizing <strong>data</strong> the process of assigning categories to bits of <strong>data</strong>.<br />

Category a concept unifying a number of observations (or bits of <strong>data</strong>) having<br />

some characteristics in common.<br />

Category definition a set of criteria governing the assignation of a category to a bit<br />

of <strong>data</strong>.<br />

Classification a process of organizing <strong>data</strong> into categories or classes and identifying<br />

formal connections between them.<br />

Code an abbreviation of a category name.<br />

Coding the process of identifying codes for category names.<br />

Concept a general idea which stands for a class of objects.<br />

Connecting categories the process of identifying substantive connections by<br />

associating categories or linking <strong>data</strong>.<br />

Databit a bit of <strong>data</strong> which is copied and filed along with similar bits of <strong>data</strong>, for<br />

the purposes of comparison.<br />

Formal connection a relationship of similarity or difference between things e.g. X<br />

and Y belong to the same category.<br />

Hyperlink an electronic link between two bits of <strong>data</strong>.<br />

Index a list identifying a series of items (such as cases or <strong>data</strong>bits).<br />

Link a substantive connection between two bits of <strong>data</strong>—the conceptual<br />

interpretation of a hyperlink.<br />

Linking <strong>data</strong> the process of identifying substantive connections between bits of<br />

<strong>data</strong> as a basis for identifying substantive connections between categories.<br />

Map a diagram representing the shape and scope of concepts and connections in<br />

the <strong>analysis</strong>.<br />

Mapping <strong>data</strong> the process of translating the results of retrievals into a graphic<br />

format.<br />

Matrix a rectangular array of rows and columns for organizing and presenting<br />

<strong>data</strong> systematically.<br />

Measurement defining the boundaries or limits to a phenomenon.<br />

Pattern observations or relationships which occur frequently in the <strong>data</strong>.<br />

<strong>Qualitative</strong> <strong>data</strong> <strong>data</strong> which deals with meanings rather than numbers<br />

Quantitative <strong>data</strong> <strong>data</strong> which deals with numbers rather than meanings.<br />

Retrieval a process of compiling all the <strong>data</strong> under some category or combination<br />

of categories, for purpose of comparison.<br />

Singularity a single constellation of observations which constitute the history of<br />

a unique event (or sequence of events.)<br />

Splitting the process of identifying subcategories and subcategorizing <strong>data</strong>.

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