Aside from one class on qualitative research, I have not done much in the way of qualitative data analysis. Although I have a highly recommended software set to help me, there are still elements about this process which are a little fuzzy to me … and I really don't want to screw things up. Part of my lack of confidence is that the process actually seems too simple in concept. I'm supposed to read through the questionnaires and transcriptions of the interviews and "code" them. Coding is supposed to take the ideas and better organize them so I can reference them quickly. As I code, I am supposed to start looking for patterns or themes to the answers provided.
Perhaps I feel comfortable (and thus concerned that I'm too comfortable) with this process because its the basis of most literary analysis too--something that I have a great deal of experience in. A difference between this sort of thematic delving and what I am used to doing is the intensity of it. I'm supposed to parse the responses phrase by phrase to make certain that I'm not just seeing what I want to see, but instead seeing the larger picture created by the data.
Well, I suppose that I shouldn't work myself up too much over this. I only have the one interview scheduled so far. Hopefully, I will get more responses in the next week or two. That way I can get this project moving … and stress myself out some more.