Qualitative Data Analysis

Qualitative data analysis is the process of examining qualitative (aka. categorical or non-numerical) data to identify patterns, meanings, and themes. This type of data often comes from sources such as text, images, survey responses, interview transcripts, or field notes. Qualitative analysis is widely used to gain in-depth insights into experiences, behaviors, perspectives, and social phenomena, and it often emphasizes context, complexity, and interpretation over measurement.

Learning

Online Resources

NVivo

DKU Library Workshops

We will be offering the Data and Digital Workshop Series during the 25/26 academic year, with more topics and tools to be added over time. Check out Fall 2025 Library Workshops and sign up today!

Software

NVivo

NVivo is a qualitative data analysis software developed by Lumivero that helps researchers organize, code, analyze, and visualize qualitative and mixed methods research data. NVivo, version 14 is available under a site license at Duke University and is provided to current DKU faculty, staff, and students at no cost.

Other Software

  • Taguette is a free tool for coding text, available in both desktop and server versions. The server version supports real-time collaboration.
  • QualCoder is a free, open-source, offline tool for qualitative data analysis. It supports text and image coding with hierarchical tags but is less suited for collaborative work.
  • Gephi is a leading free software for visualizing and analyzing complex networks. Network analysis (aka. social network analysis) is commonly used in domains, including social networks, bibliometrics, epidemiology, bioinformatics, complex systems, and text analysis.
  • VOSviewer is a software tool for constructing and visualizing bibliometric networks, such as networks of journals, researchers, or individual publications. It can generate visualizations based on citation, bibliographic coupling, co-citation, or co-authorship relationships.

DKU Support

For data-related support, contact the Data and Visualization Librarian, Siti Lei (siti.lei@dukekunshan.edu.cn).