Documentary method – Proposal for the use of QDA software.

A simplified example, implemented with f4analyse.

Introduction

Here we show an example of the technical implementation of the evaluation steps using the documentary method with f4analyse. Of course, the content of this example has been greatly simplified to provide a quick and vivid overview. It does not replace your own examination of the method. For this we recommend, for example the comments by Frank Kleemann, Uwe Krähnke and Ingo Matuschek in: “Interpretative social research. An introduction to the practice of interpretation” (2013). There you will also find a compact introduction to the research program, basic concepts and methodological approach of the documentary method. For a deeper insight into the method, we recommend working through the sources on the last page:

Steps of the analysis

1. Selection of data and sequencing
   The code system for sequencing and creating thematic headings helps here.
2. Formulating interpretation
   The code system can also be used for this task. Detailed interpretations can be recorded in memos.
3. Reflective interpretation
   The reflective interpretation can be recorded directly in a memo at the relevant passages in the text.
4. Case description
   The case description is recorded in the text commentary.
5. Case comparison and typology
   Adding/importing additional texts to the project enables further case descriptions and a later comparison. For the final report, all results can be exported as RTF files for further processing, e.g. in Word.

1. selection of data and sequencing

This is how we have implemented it in f4analyse:

• First, we create a new text and add the appropriate audio file. (pencil symbol behind the text). And exactly, there is no text content yet!
• For subsequent thematic structuring, we create a main code with the case name. (In our example, text name: Group 1 / code name: Segmentation Group 1)
• Press F4 (Start/Stop) to listen to the interview.
• For a topic change, we write the word “to” and place a time marker behind it using the F8 key.
• We encode this time marker with a new code, which we create as a subcode and enter the subject of the spoken section as the name.
• After listening to the entire interview, we select the relevant passages for analysis. As a visual marker, we color the code of the selected passage in a different color.
• We transcribe the relevant passage(s) directly in f4analyse by listening, pressing the F4 key (start/stop playback) and typing.

Assignment to codes. The section coded in yellow was selected as relevant for the analysis and transcribed.

2. formulating interpretation

This is how we have implemented it in f4analyse:

• We read the first segment to be analyzed carefully and identify topics (what is being talked about).
• The formulating interpretation is recorded in the name of a new subcode to the code of the sequence. For a better overview, we use different colors for each additional subcode. (It makes sense to set the “Insert position of new codes” to “bottom” in the f4analyse settings)
• The corresponding text passage is assigned to the appropriate subcode.
• All formulating interpretations can now be read in sequential order in the code tree.
• In a memo for each passage, we then record the formulating fine interpretation. To do this, we mark the passage, click on Memo and type in the fine interpretation here.

3. reflective interpretation

This is how we have implemented it in f4analyse:

• We now read through each passage that we have previously coded in the formulating interpretation in order to make a reflective interpretation.
• We supplement the results of the reflective interpretation in the memo for the respective segment.

4. case description

This is how we have implemented it in f4analyse:

• We read through all the reflective interpretations of the interview again and summarize them in a case description in the comment field below.

5. export for case comparison and typology

This is how we have implemented it in f4analyse:

• As described above, we work on further sequences and cases.
• We create a new main code for each new case. We then summarize the main topics and formulating interpretations of the interview in subcodes.
• Using the “Export” function in the menu bar, we select the “Memos and comments…”entry and export all text sections, topics, interpretations and case descriptions as an RTF file. This file can then be edited further, e.g. with Word.
• In the “Text comments” section of the document, we find a list of all case descriptions. The following section “Memos” contains all reflective interpretations with the corresponding references.
• We use the “Codes and coding” export to display the thematic progression of the cases.

Literature

Bohnsack, Ralf (2007): Reconstructive social research. Introduction to qualitative methods. UTB, Stuttgart. 8th, ed. ed.

Bohnsack, Ralf; Nentwig-Gesemann, Iris & Nohl, Arnd-Michael (eds.) (2013): The documentary method and its research practice. Basics of qualitative social research. VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften. 3rd ed.

Kleemann, Frank et al. (2013): Documentary method. In: Kleemann, Frank, Krähnke, Uwe & Matuschek, Ingo (eds.): Interpretative Social Research. An introduction to the practice of interpretation. VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften. 2nd ed., pp. 153-195.

Nohl, Arnd-Michael (2012): Interview and documentary method. Instructions for research practice. VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften. 4th ed.