Analyzing Data

• What methods will you use to analyze your data?

I will be collecting my data via face to face interviews and email correspondence.  Then, I will be coding the responses and comments and using a series of concept maps and charts to compare and contrast the results.  I find Bryman's 4 stages of qualitative analysis to be laid out in a manner that will help guide my analysis.  I will be doing a lot of highlighting and mapping as I go through all my notes and plan to ultimately end with a table created on with google docs that summarizes the results.

• What experience (formal or informal) have you already had with these data analysis methods?

I have very little experience with data analysis in this format.  I have analyzed parts of a text etc, but very limited experience analyzing actual human responses.  

• What questions or concerns do you have about these methods?

One of my biggest concerns is working to find relationships or answers to specific questions/theories I may have in my head while analyzing data and not simply letting the data speak for itself.  Perhaps I am used to the manipulation involved in literary analysis - where two people may interpret a poem or story very differently, and find ways to support both arguments.  I need to remember that I am not looking for a specific result - I will find results after the responses are in and analyze the data as it is.