Nvivo is a good software to use for qualitative data analysis. However you should keep in mind that the software is mostly for organizing and coding data. Therefore, it is always helpful to have a model or theory to provide a framwork to your analysis.
I have used NVivo and have really liked it. However, a colleague of mine who has compared different forms of software for qualitative and mixed methods studies suggests that they all can meet the needs of a psychosocial researcher in terms of organization and display.
I am an NVivo user and for many years I taught a course in NVivo. I think the software choice is much like any brand loyalty: It's about what you get used to and what you use with facility. Most people do not use all of the tools that NVivo offers. For example, there is a modeling and memo-ing tool, as well as multiple search tools that are very sophisticated. It's not just a tool for coding. I have demo-ed other tools but I think my preference is about the fact that I know NVivo very well and I know how to dig my way out of complicated problems. Also, while NVivo is expensive by some accounts, the tech support is immediate and responsive.
NVivo has done a good job for me. Neverthless, you have to take in account the size of your research. Sometimes, very simple devices are sufficient and you do not need this software.
NVIVO is one of the best and simple software to analyse qualitative research. It is also very simple to learn. Basically NVivo organises the data which help in finding the emerging themes or make the existing themes easy. I have been using for last couple of years and absolutely recommend it.
Hello, according to my experience researches in social work do not differ from other fields research. The criteria to choose a software is the type of qualitative methods you need to apply, the eventual work team organization and the resources you own to acquire the soft. N'VIVO has some limitations (specifically on Mac/IOS) on data acquisition, automatic coding and project sharing. Eventually try TAMS Analyzer (http://tamsys.sourceforge.net/) which is freeware for Mac/IOS or Atlas TI with is a commercial software (http://atlasti.com/fr/macos.html) or for simple analysis AnSWR (free at CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/software/answr/index.html)
I have used NVivo for most of my projects, but for my dissertation research I moved to MaxQDA: http://www.maxqda.com/. One problem I have had with NVivo is that it would crash on my PC. With MaxQDA I haven't had that problem and it offers the same capabilities as NVivo (query builder, collaborative coding etc.). They also have great user videos so you can learn how to use it on your own. And you can give it a try for free.
I would say that the answer to your question really depends on the types of research you want to do and the kind of software you can afford. If you want to conduct a pure quantitative research any software would work, but if you want to conduct a mixed research method (combining quantitative and qualitative), I would suggest to take a look at MaxQD. With regard to the affordability, you want to be careful and choose the software that will cost less and does not expire after one year, against another software that may look wonderful with a high price and which will expire after a year!
However, there exist many analytical softwares helping qualitative researcher to manage various needs.
Perhaps you should try MaxQda which is easy to use or NVivo 7 which helps in deeper meaning analysis. I saw there is already designed and introduced on market NVivo 11 Pro with many useful options. Expensive for regular byuers but has good options for students. In fact there are many products depending on the needs. Some users say that AtlasTi is satisfying for grounded theory analysis.
I could not agree more with José. These softwares are useful to classify informations but they dont think in your place! Nevertheless, it is helpful to read this amount of data t sparkle the intuition.