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Research Article  |   January 2003
Data Analysis in Qualitative Research: A Plea for Sharing the Magic and the Effort
Virginia A. Dickie
Author Affiliations
  • Virginia A. Dickie, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Associate Professor, Occupational Science Division, Medical School Wing E, Campus Box 7120, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7120; vdickie@med.unc.edu
Article Information
Special Section: Qualitative Research
Research Article   |   January 2003
Data Analysis in Qualitative Research: A Plea for Sharing the Magic and the Effort
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, January/February 2003, Vol. 57, 49-56. doi:10.5014/ajot.57.1.49
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, January/February 2003, Vol. 57, 49-56. doi:10.5014/ajot.57.1.49
Abstract

This discussion of data analysis in qualitative research addresses the question of how authors describe this aspect of their research. I suggest that the tradition of organization of research papers from quantitative research is not a good fit for writing qualitative research. I argue for less jargon and more detailed description, with the analytic process integrated into the findings and interpretation.