Training in the latest versions of computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software, widely used in research in the areas of  health, education and sociology, will be offered in two workshops at the University of Georgia April 14-17.

The two workshops will be led by Lyn Richards, director of Research Services at QSR International in Melbourne, Australia, where her roles involve teaching, provision of resources and materials for users, software development and research, as well as documentation.

As a family sociologist, Richards has taught qualitative methods at undergraduate and graduate levels and wrote four research books from funded projects. These led to the development, with computer scientist Tom Richards of the NUD*IST research project (on ways of handling non-numericial unstructured data by indexing, Searching and theorizing. The software that resulted from this research is now in its sixth version, N6, developed by QSR, now with the partner software package NVivo.

 This software helps researchers in coding, storing, searching, retrieving and linking qualitative data (most commonly interview transcripts and field notes).

 As in her recent books, Richards will emphasize and discuss the methodological purposes and outcomes of software processes, rather than teaching technical skills. Experienced users are welcome to attend the workshop for these methodological discussions, as well as for further skill development in each program, but should recognize that the workshops will address the needs of those at an introductory level.

N6 is the sixth version of NUD*IST software, now used in over 80 countries. N6 is a powerful code-and-retrieve program designed to assist in managing and analyzing textual data. A responsive, pragmatic toolkit for code-based inquiry and searching, N6 keeps you close to your data and in charge of your growing interpretations.

NVivo is the new generation of qualitative software, designed for researchers who need to combine subtle coding with qualitative linking, shaping, and modeling. A fine-detailed analyzer, NVivo integrates the processes of interpretation and focused questioning. Rich-text records are freely edited, coded, and linked with multimedia. Researchers can hyperlink any data to external files (audio, video, and Web pages).

 The workshops will be held at River's Crossing, Room 143 and are sponsored by the Qualitative Inquiry Program in the College of Education’s department of educational psychology.

For more information and registration online:
http://www.gactr.uga.edu/conferences/2003/Apr/14/qual.phtml