MAXQDA AND ITS APPLICATION TO SOCIAL SCIENCES: A COMPARATIVE CASE STUDY ON URBAN VULNERABILITY

Abstract

Introduction. In the field of Social Sciences, it is increasingly common to use computer programmes for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of data. The purpose of this article was to present the use of the MAXQDA software based on a comparative case study on urban vulnerability between a Southern (Guatemala) and Northern (Spain) region of the world. To this end, an international theoretical review is presented on the application of office automation platforms under the name CAQDAS. The emergence and utilisation of these platforms have led to new qualitative and mixed methods of analysis in the field of social research. Within this denomination, MAXQDA is a multifaceted professional platform for descriptive and content analysis of qualitative data and mixed methods. It offers a potential regarding both empirical analysis and the presentation of results. Methodology. A qualitative methodology was selected, based on the audition technique. Twenty auditions were held, ten in the El Gallito neighbourhood (Guatemala) and nine in the La Coma neighbourhood (Paterna, Spain). These auditions were conducted with different community agents and key agents from citizenry, local administration, and technical resource teams of the respective neighbourhoods. To analyse the results based on this qualitative technique selection, we developed a system of categories and subcategories of urban vulnerability analysis according to the research design map. Results. On the one hand, a detailed description of the necessary steps to use MAXQDA, based on system of categories and subcategories mentioned above is given. On the other, examples are provided of a number of the software's own functionalities using multiple graphic representations. The exemplification in the results section allows us to observe how abstract phenomena- in this case, urban vulnerability - is simplified and sorted into categories and operational subcategories of analysis (category-based). The latter allow generating responses and proposals for action. Discussion. The results show how category- based qualitative analyses allow simplifying complex phenomena and objects of study - whether in the Social Sciences or in other disciplines - into empirical study categories. This platform is therefore potentially applicable to research in general. Furthermore, its use does not imply excluding the application of a quantitative methodology: It is possible to import data from other platforms and perform mixed methods studies. Conclusions. The article concludes with proposals of future implementations, not only in other academic disciplines, but also using the tool to support new forms of governance of Public Administrations.