I would like to know if people have concrete suggestions about or know of bibliography or on line resources that describe how to keep track of the different data collected. For example, if collecting semistructured individual interviews, I usually have a digital audio file, a short questionnaire on additional data for each interviewee (or at least notes on basic things like gender, place the interview was done, other characteristics that are basic to the study), as well as some field notes about methodological details about how the interview went. If there is more than one fieldworker, they obviously can't repeat identification numbers for their interviews (so you don't have two or three labeled as "interview #1"). When analyzing the interviews, one needs to be able to correctly link the transcription to the short questionnaire, and to the methodological notes. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Dear Betania,
In your case I would suggest the use of Microsoft Access -- it is very simple and allows to keep all files in (relative) order. I used it for many years in "rush" situation to store files generated by a physically dispersed research group. From there you can export different data into special software like NVivo.
Bests,
Igor Gurkov
It's not helpful if you don't have it, but we use Nvivo to code, sort and store all sorts of qualitative data these days. And, you can set up projects with shared access for multiple researchers, provided they have the software.
Thanks, I do use a qualitative program to code, but before coding I would like to know if anyone has a good system for registering which data came from which people, I suppose with identification numbers. I am looking for ideas on how to keep a well organized, detailed list of the data as it is collected.
Yes, I understood that. Nvivo, and presumably other programs, provides capability to store and organise different data sources (eg interview transcripts, recordings, archival data, video, images, geocoded spatial data) so they are easy to track, cross-reference etc
I agree with Jo Barraket that not just NVivo but other qualitative analysis programs provide resources for keeping track of multiple types of data . The usual format is something like a spreadsheet, where the rows are the sources (e.g., individual participants) and the columns are the different kinds of data. Of course, you could just use a spreadsheet for this kind of record keeping, but these programs allow you easy access to all the data, as well as the ability to combine searches across different kinds of data.
Given the expense, I wouldn't buy one of these programs just for keeping track of the data, but if you already have access to one, I would explore its potential in this area.
Thanks for the responses. What I am looking for is a system to use in the field, probably paper and pen since I usually don't have tablets for fieldworkers (even if there are only 2-4 of us in the field). I have used paper and pen before and then data enter it into a spread sheet (and also into atlas.ti) but I think my system was not well thought out because we sometimes had mix ups, especially making sure all corresponding files have the same i.d. number: the audio file, corresponding short questionnaire and corresponding field-notes. I suppose I will make up a form in word or excel and print it out and fill out the fields in pen during the fieldwork; and try to think it out better than before!
Dear Betania,
In your case I would suggest the use of Microsoft Access -- it is very simple and allows to keep all files in (relative) order. I used it for many years in "rush" situation to store files generated by a physically dispersed research group. From there you can export different data into special software like NVivo.
Bests,
Igor Gurkov
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