Data analysis is becoming much easier with the development of qualitative data analysis software. Unlike word processing programmes, these can also analyse photographs and videos.  Amongst the programmes most used by researchers (all disciplines) in the member countries of ERNWACA are MaxQDA, NUD’IST, ATLAS ti, and ETHNOGRAPH.  These software programmes allow researchers to carry out excellent data analysis for a relatively small financial layout.

All of these programmes function in more or less the same way.  What differentiates them is their flexibility in terms of functions such as memory capacity; how many files they can manage simultaneously and which formats they can support; it is then a question of user preference.

These qualitative data analysis software programmes will never be able to replace the work of the researcher and therefore you should not expect them to perform miracles!

Several national ERNWACA research teams use MaxQDA in national and transnational research projects.  See MaxQDA screens in Annex F.