Qualitative Data Analysis: Working with theory

We have our theoretical or conceptual framework. We have our data. How do we bring the two together? This is a key aspect of qualitative analysis, but brings significant challenges. How do we avoid just finding what the theory always and already told us would be there? How do we actually put theory to work, or ‘plug it in’ to the data? In this workshop Professor Nick Hopwood will share an ‘X-Y-Z’ framework that can be applied regardless of the particular theory you are working with. We will explore an example of a study where theory was applied to good effect, and examine some raw data together, applying our own theoretical lenses to put the X-Y-Z framework into practice. 

Learning outcomes: 

1. Understand practical steps in applying theory to analysis of qualitative data 
2. Understand need to check against theory over-determining analytical insights 
3. Understand how theory might play a role in making claims and conclusions. 

This is the third workshop in the Qualitative Data Analysis series for 2024, led by Dr Nick Hopwood and Dr Erin Turbitt. It will be held both online and in-person, and it may be recorded.

If you are interested in further workshops in the series, check out these upcoming sessions:

• Thematic analysis: Big Q and little q - 27 February 2024
• Me, the data, and theory - 26 March 2024
• Working with theory - 14 May 2024
• Theme TBA - Guest speaker - 11 June 2024
• Keeping the whole person in view: Challenges for qualitative analysis - 9 July 2024
• Using AI to do qualitative analysis - 13 August 2024
• Demystifying action research - 10 September 2024
• Post-qualitative analysis- 8 October 2024

This is a UTS Aspire event. UTS Aspire is a program of pan-university research development opportunities led by the Research Capability and Development Team.