This digital workbook represents a hands-on approach to learning qualitative analysis—one that moves beyond abstract description to active practice, from reading about methods to actually doing them, from understanding approaches in isolation to seeing how they connect.
Why This Workbook Exists
Qualitative analysis is often taught as a series of separate approaches—thematic analysis in one lecture, IPA in another, discourse analysis in a third—without helping students understand when each is appropriate, how they differ philosophically, or how to actually do them with real data.
This workbook takes a different approach. It treats qualitative analysis as a craft that must be practised, not just studied. Each chapter provides not only conceptual foundations but also interactive tools, worked examples with real data, and exercises that build analytical skills progressively.
"Analysis is not a separate stage that happens after data collection; it is an ongoing process of interpretation that begins with the first interview and continues through to the final written account."
What Makes This Workbook Different
🔧 Interactive Tools
Code transcripts directly in your browser. Build themes with interactive interfaces. Export your analysis for use in assignments.
📝 Worked Examples
Follow complete analyses across multiple approaches—seeing how the same data yields different insights through different lenses.
🎯 Decision Support
Use guided decision tools to choose appropriate approaches, align methods with paradigms, and build coherent research designs.
💾 Save & Export
Your work persists between sessions. Export analyses, reflections, and plans as files for your research records.
What's Inside: 10 Chapters
Qualitative Analysis Foundations
Coding basics, paradigmatic approaches, and the nature of qualitative inquiry
Research Questions & Alignment
Formulating questions and ensuring methodology-method coherence
Interviewing for Qualitative Analysis
Interview types, question design, and generating rich data
Thematic Analysis & QCA
Braun & Clarke's approach, coding frames, and interactive tools
IPA & Phenomenological Approaches
Person as unit, double hermeneutic, experiential themes
Discourse Analysis
Language, power, and social construction of meaning
Narrative Analysis
Stories as data, structural and thematic approaches
Description to Interpretation
Applying theoretical frameworks, the hermeneutic cycle
Ethics, Reflexivity & Transcription
Cross-cutting concerns for all qualitative research
Planning Your Analysis
Comprehensive tools for designing your own research
Dr Pauline Prevett
Reader in Education
School of Environment, Education and Development
University of Manchester
2025
Ready to Explore?
Try the sample chapter to experience the interactive approach.
📖 Sample Chapter ▶️ Watch Demo