Originally a blog post by @christiepooh 

Summary of #phdchat 11th May 2011

I attempted to capture key points from today's #phdchat. I missed most of it and really wanted to thread everything back together. I hope my transcription and summaries of data collection and analysis make sense to you. Please provide feedback if I have made assumptions. This is a form of data collection and analysis! :)

Stars indicate each time an additional person liked/agreed/wanted to try. I left out the off-topic chatter. There were a few tweets that were on topic but I couldn't safely figure out what topic. Those too are left out.
 

Questions: At what point do we stop COLLECTING data and start ANALYZING?
How do you store the themes and concepts once data is analyzed? Tech or trad pen and paper? Mind mapping?
Once you have coded your data, how do you start pulling something meaningful?

Responses

Stop/Start

• Overlap/Runs together *
• Back and forth **
• Complex relationship over time between data and theory
• Mentions of back and forth to refine theory
• Depends on methodology (summaries after transcription) 
• Transcribe as soon as possible, look for themes, make theoretical notes
• Summarize transcripts when finished** (act as 1st level filter)

Storage

• Nvivo to store codes etc @SueFolley
• Mix pen/paper with spreadsheet/tech **
• Scrivener for research notes
• MAXQDA for memos and such directly related to data
• Method of Inquiry Table 

Analysis

• Try inductive and start with data? Depends on field.
• HYPERresearch to analyze QUAN? not Mac, price high?
• Pulling something meaningful? Varies with methodology*. Thematic analysis and Template analysis mentioned.
• SPSS/PAWS*
• Data useful once categorized with mindmap (categories are themes for grounded theory methodology)
• Framwork analysis (link to recommended book)
• Analysis when transcribed, find conceptual framework sooner rather than later
• Analyze after data collection
• Excel with back copies showing changes to framework as you analyze 
• Andy Coverdale trying visual prompts with participants to verify/nego/contest analysis assumptions*
• Visual mapping***** (linked lists suggested for those not visually attune to mind maps)
• Summaries to word clouds*** (would it help with emerging themes?) (mention of it being confusing)

General

• Unwritten rules to PhD Research, recommended
• Patrick Dunleavey book about how to complete a phd, recommended***
• Coding Manual for QUAL Researchers by Johnny Saldana**
• Actor-Network article