Focused Analysis of Qualitative Interviews with MAXQDA

Book excerpt: Qualitative interviews are a very popular data collection method for which the topics of conversation are usually determined in advance and set down in an interview guide. The focused analysis method presented in this textbook provides detailed recommendations on how to analyze interview data in a systematic and methodically controlled manner. The practical procedure for focused interview analyses using the MAXQDA software package is described in six easy-to-follow steps: 1. Prepare, organize, and explore data 2. Develop categories for your analysis 3. Code your interviews ("basic coding") 4. Develop your category system further and the second coding cycle ("fine coding") 5. Analysis options after coding 6. Write the research report and document the analysis process