Using Digital Tools for Qualitative Text Analysis (Online)

Key information

Start date:
21 March 2025
Attendance dates:

21 March 2025

Venue:
Distance learning
Contact details:

View all sociology CPD and short courses

Overview

This workshop introduces methods and tools for qualitative text analysis, to aid researchers in planning and undertaking analysis using digital tools designed for the purpose. 

We begin with an overview of traditions in text analysis, spanning the methodological spectrum. We then introduce the range of digital tools that have been designed to facilitate these approaches – focusing on the genre of tools collectively referred to as Computer Assisted Qualitative Data AnalysiS (CAQDAS) packages  but also discussing tools derived from other contexts.  

To bring qualitative text analysis methods to life we then focus on strategies and tactics for implementing an analysis, focusing on common analytic activities and how they can be accomplished using software tools. This involves preparing texts for analysis, importing and organising texts, exploring content and building dictionaries, coding texts using both inductive and deductive approaches, managing interpretations through analytic note-taking, summarizing and mapping, interrogating patterns and relationships and visualising and reporting. The workshop showcases a selection of CAQDAS-packages including ATLAS.ti, Dedoose, DiscoverText, MAXQDA, NVivo and QDA Miner. 

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Understand broad methodological traditions in qualitative text analysis
  • Have an overview of the range of digital tools designed to facilitate qualitative text analysis and their methodological underpinnings
  • Understand the importance of analytic planning in harnessing digital tools for qualitative text analysis
  • Understand how digital tools can facilitate core analytic activities involved in undertaking qualitative text analysis
  • Understand the principles of making appropriate choices between digital tools for analytic purposes
  • Know where to access relevant resources to support continued use of digital tools for qualitative text analysis.

Course content

  • Methods for qualitative text analysis
  • Digital tools designed to facilitate qualitative text analysis
  • Planning a computer-assisted qualitative text analysis
  • Common analytic activities in qualitative text analysis and how they are supported by digital tools
  • Preparing texts for analysis
  • Importing and organising texts
  • Exploring content and building dictionaries
  • Coding texts using inductive/deductive and auto-coding techniques
  • Managing interpretations through analytic note-taking
  • Summarizing and mapping
  • Interrogating patterns and relationships
  • Visualising and reporting

Learning and teaching methods

  • Presentations
  • Demonstrations
  • Discussions.

Assessment

None

Course leader

Christina Silver profile image

Dr Christina Silver

Associate Professor (Teaching), Director of CAQDAS Networking Project

Additional information

This workshop is delivered online using Zoom. In order to attend you will need a computer (Mac or Windows) that has access to the internet, and a microphone (inbuilt or external). We encourage participants to share their image using a webcam to foster dialogue and interaction, but this is not a requirement. 

Entry requirements

No prior knowledge is necessary.

Fees and funding

Price per person:

£27

UGPN student discount (all Surrey students)

£35

Students

£38

UGPN staff discount (all Surrey staff)

£45

Education and charitable sector applicants

£55

Government and commercial sector applicants

What these fees include

Handouts, slides, links to further resources.

Funding opportunities

Participants applying for either UGPN discount will need to use their University email address to be eligible.

  • North Carolina (NC) State University: @ncsu.edu  
  • University of Sāo Paulo (USP): @usp.br 
  • University of Wollongong: @uow.edu.au 
  • University of Surrey: @surrey.ac.uk

All staff and students at any of the above institutions are now eligible for the UGPN discount as part of UGPN.

How to apply

Applications will be through our online store

Apply now

Terms and conditions

When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and regulations and our terms and conditions. You are also confirming you have read and understood the University's prospective student privacy notice.

Further details of our terms and conditions will follow.

Disclaimer

This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the commencement of the course. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read the full disclaimer.

Course location and contact details

Campus location

Stag Hill

Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught. 

Administrative Officer, Short Courses
Address

University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH