Methodological implications of software use: an empirical investigation of the impact ofsoftware programs on literature analysis using n6 and n vivo 7.

This study contributes to debate on the methodological impact of software programs on qualitative data analysisby empirically investigating the impact of alternative program use on analytical process and outcomes.Controlling for data set, researcher and software program, analyses of academic literature were undertakenusing QSR International’s N6 and N-Vivo 7 programs to determine the nature and extent of adaptations imposedby technological support. The study demonstrates that while choice of program necessitated adaptations to datarecords, coding of data and illustration of conclusions, these adaptations had little overall effect on theprocesses and conclusions of the analyses. The implications of these findings for qualitative research design arediscussed and suggestions for future research into methodological implications of software use are presented.