Harnessing ATLAS.ti for Qualitative and Mixed-Methods Data Analysis

The world of academic research is increasingly recognising the importance of qualitative and mixed-methods analysis. The ability to harness powerful software like ATLAS.ti can significantly enhance the depth and breadth of research findings.

This is where the 1-day workshop 'Harnessing ATLAS.ti for qualitative and mixed-methods analysis' comes into play. Led by Christina Silver (CAQDAS Networking Project, University of Surrey, & Qualitative Data Analysis Services), this workshop is designed to equip PhD students, professors, and professional researchers with the skills to effectively utilize ATLAS.ti in their research.
 

Christina Silver is a renowned expert in the field of qualitative data analysis, with a wealth of experience in teaching and consulting on the use of CAQDAS packages. Her workshop promises to be an invaluable resource for those looking to enhance their research capabilities.

The workshop provides you with a comprehensive introduction to ATLAS.ti and how to harness its tools powerfully. The seminar combines discussion, demonstration and hands-on practice, using sample data and (optionally) your own research data. It follows the principles described in Woolf & Silver (2018) Qualitative Analysis using ATLAS.ti, the Five-Level QDA which details the process of harnessing ATLAS.ti powerfully.
 
The seminar is divided into four topics, including these teaching and learning activities:

1.  Contextual illustrations – methodological and analytical principles, uses of ATLAS.ti in different contexts (e.g. for literature reviewing, for analysis of empirical data collected for a specific study, for secondary analysis of qualitative materials) 

2. Software demonstrations – interface, architecture, components, actions and tools

3. Guided Instruction – step-by-step teaching in the operation of ATLAS.ti and the use of tools for analytic tasks

4.  Individual work - to consolidate understandings and put learning into practice in own contexts

You will be guided through the phases of an analysis and how to accomplish them using ATLAS.ti’s tools creatively and systematically. This includes planning an analysis and creating structural frameworks to reflect initial research designs; familiarizing with qualitative materials (at an in-depth interpretive level and at a higher content-based level); coding qualitative data using different analytic approaches (contrasting inductive, grounded approaches and deductive, topic or theoretically informed approaches); exploring the role and use of generative AI tools within ATLAS.ti; using software tools to capture reflections through writing, mapping and linking; organizing data to factual characteristics; interrogating patterns and relationships to identify themes, make comparisons and explore anomalies; and using visualisations to communicate findings in engaging and powerful ways.