Article

Qualitative research is often very voluminous due to the nature that it reflects realities and viewpoints of the studied subjects. With key characteristics of a qualitative study being flexible, holistic, involves merging data collection strategies, requiring researchers to be intensely involved, and relying on the ongoing analysis of the data to formulate subsequent strategies and to determine when data collection is done (Green & Johnson, 2018). With the large influx of information that is continuously gathered through research it is important to strategize as a researcher on how to best organize the gathered information.

The large amount of research and data collection that is required even in small qualitative projects means thousands of words of information must be stored. On the other hand, major ethnographic projects typically become millions of words. Luckily advances in technology have helped researchers in organizing and maintaining the findings in a more organized fashion. Qualitative research requires the ongoing organization, collection, management, storing, retrieving, analyzing, and give meaning to the information obtained during qualitative research. Qualitative studies contain an overwhelming number of terminologies and positions that have the ability to be utilized in different studies (whether they are ontological, epistemological or methodological) (Johnson, B. D., Dunlap, E., & Benoit, E. (2010).

As qualitative projects are often large with an abundance of gathered data it is critical that the data is placed in a comprehensive database which allows for subsequent analysis of the information as efficient as possible. As computer hardware allows for greater storage capacities it is noted that a great way to store information in an organized manner is through the use of computerized softwares that allow retrieval through key words. Another great way to organize the abundance of information obtained through qualitative study is to use a voice recorder. A digital voice recorder allows for findings to be taped and easily transcribed into a database that allows for easy retrieval.

References:

Green, S. & Johnson, J. (2018). Understanding Methods for Best Practice. Grand Canyon University (Ed). Research ethics and evaluation of qualitative research. Retrieved from

Johnson, B. D., Dunlap, E., & Benoit, E. (2010). Organizing “mountains of words” for data analysis, both qualitative and quantitative. Substance use & misuse, 45(5), 648670. doi:10.3109/10826081003594757

(Please write a response to the article above using 200-300 words APA format with at least two references. Sources must be published within the last 5 years. There should be a mix between research and your reflections. Add critical thinking in the posts along with research. Apply the material in a substantial way.)