Using Software in Qualitative Research

A Step-by-Step Guide

This book is essential reading for anyone navigating the complex and exciting terrain of qualitative data analysis software.  Silver and Lewins emphasize the importance of data preparation; being familiar with one’s software program before starting analysis; and being reflective, methodologically purposeful, and fluid in how one uses the available features of a given program.

This is a timely update to the best volume of its kind. Christina Silver and Anne Lewins have brought their detailed and uniquely balanced account of the landscape of qualitative research, and the functions of software therein, into sharp contemporary focus. This is not only an invaluable practical guidebook for newcomers to CAQDAS, but also an essential reference text for the more seasoned qualitative researcher.

The new edition is extraordinarily authoritative and seriously useful, detailed yet unfailingly interesting.  It brings methodological goals and software possibilities  together in a more accessible and lively way. With thorough and practical website resources it will be an essential reference for anyone wondering about software use - and that of course is everyone doing qualitative research.! It confronts the reader firmly with the challenges and complexities of qualitative work and the power, mixed offerings and sometimes considerable limitations of existing software. It's so carefully written, and the authors' voices are so clear, that it encourages, steadily explains and assists. The authors' enthusiasm and unique experience and knowledge of the field shine through, so against all odds for such a technical work, this book is a bloody good read!

This book is recommendable for all researchers and practitioners in different scientific fields – psychology, sociology, literature, etc. – for all who deal with qualitative and mixed methods for data processing, interpretation and presentation. 

This publication is an impressive and exhaustive undertaking (with a book, three data sets consisting of many different types of data, and detailed instructions for seven CAQDAS programs), particularly given the depth, breadth, and ever changing nature of this field. The authors are to be commended for tackling this very challenging topic... Researchers who choose to both immerse themselves in the book and take advantage of the online resources and related exercises will be richly rewarded.