Research
tools
Here are some software tools to assist in quantitative and qualitiative
data anlyasis.
Computer
Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software. (CAQDAS)
This project at the University of Surrey is funded by the UK Economic
and Social Research Council andt has no commercial links to any software
developer or supplier. It aims to provide practical support and information
in the use of a range of software programs that have been designed to
assist with qualitative data analysis. The project also provides various
platforms for debate concerning the methodological and epistemological
issues arising from the use of such software packages. Demonstration
versions of software to available to download.
Critical
Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP)
CASP's aim is to "enable decision makers and those who seek to
influence them to acquire skills to make sense of, and act on, the evidence".
The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme is part of the Public Health
Resource Unit, working at the Institute of Health Sciences in Oxford,
to help bring the principles and practice of evidence-based practice
to as wide an audience as possible. The program includes a CD-ROM of
critical appraisal skills.
Statistics for the Terrified
The title says it all. This is a commercially produced piece of low
cost software to introduce students to statistics, not just the mechanics
but also the whys and wherefores of using and understanding different
statistical tests.
Qualitative and quantitative analysis tools
Ethnograph
The Ethnograph is for qualitative research on text data such as interviews
and telephone surveys. It allows researchers to identify, retrieve
and analyse text from documents.
Instat
This free program from the University of Reading provides advice
and guidance on using statistics as well the means to enter, analyse
and display results, using a wide variety of statistical techniques.
The program includes facilities for recoding, sorting and grouping
data and selecting sub sets. Parametric and non-parametric statistics
and time series are included such as t-tests, chi square, multiple
regression, analysis of variance. Presentation uses histograms, scatter
plots, box plots, stem and leaf.
Pinpoint
Described as 'the Complete Survey Solution', Pinpoint provides researchers
with facilities for questionnaire design, data collection, survey
analysis and graphics and charting. Pinpoint is a commercial product
from Logotron.
QSR
N6 (formerly NUDIST)
Software designed to aid researchers in handling Non-numerical Unstructured
Data by supporting processes of Indexing, Searching and Theorising'.
It is used with a researcher's text to search, categorise, index,
organise and search for links between categories. It can also be
used to present analysis of results. QSR Merge is included with version
4.0 This utility allows the researcher to merges different research
projects or convert data cross platforms i.e. Mac to PC.
Question Mark
A software tool that allows the user to develop on-line tests, surveys
and assessments. Questions may be developed and stored in a database.
Perception has a Reporter tool which supports users in analysing
and reporting results of tests and surveys. Secure tests may be delivered
over the web or an intranet using server software on a Windows NT
platform. Questions can include graphics, sound files, video files
and pdf files although using multimedia requires the end user to
have browser plug-ins which may have implications for tests run on
workstation networks.
SNAP
Describing itself as 'The Total solution for in-house research' the
core of SNAP is a simple to use survey analysis program ideally suited
to handling the whole process of social surveys and other types of
surveys. This includes: on screen question design and printing in
different formats; data entry including logic checks and routing;
tabulation and cross tabulation of results, including filtering and
statistical analysis; presentation of results in a wide range of
charts including 3D and exploded pie charts; import and export of
data and results to and from other packages. Snap Campus edition
now available with training manual for staff and students.
SPSS
SPSS UK is part of SPSS Inc., which produces a range of SPPS products
including SPSS, SYSTAT, QI Analyst, MapInfo, Neural Connection
and SPSS CHIAD. The basic SPSS module includes data entry capabilities,
data analysis and graphical presentation of results. The Tables
option
adds extensive facilities for tabulating results and there is an
advanced statistics module. The facility to create and run batch
files is a very powerful tool for undertaking regular data entry,
analysis and reporting tasks as a single process. The company has
now launched a full version of SPSS for students and a tutor pack
consisting of two elements; Essential SPSS and Essential Social Statistics.
|
