Computer analysis of qualitative data: The use of ethnograph

Abstract

Ethnograph, a code and retrieve software program for computer analysis of qualitative data, was utilized to assist in analyzing the content of in-depth interviews and focus group data. This program requires basic computer hardware and is fairly easy to use. The main advantage of the program is easy access to data dealing with a particular issue and easy retrieval of text for analysis and illustration. However, to get the maximum benefit from this program, documents need to be structured in the format suitable for the software. Among the difficulties encountered were the absence of on-line documents during coding, lack of options in printing facility and the tendency for the program to hang whenever there was a printing error.