Qualitative Analysis Techniques for the Review of the Literature

Authors

Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie, Sam Houston State UniversityFollow
Nancy L. Leech, University of Colorado Denver
Kathleen M. T. Collins, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville

Abstract

In this article, we provide a framework for analyzing and interpreting sources that inform a literature review or, as it is more aptly called, a research synthesis. Specifically, using Leech and Onwuegbuzie’s (2007, 2008) frameworks, we delineate how the following four major source types inform research syntheses: talk, observations, drawings/photographs/videos, and documents. We identify 17 qualitative data analysis techniques that are optimal for analyzing one or more of these source types. Further, we outline the role that the following five qualitative data analysis techniques can play in the research synthesis: constant comparison analysis, domain analysis, taxonomic analysis, componential analysis, and theme analysis. We contend that our framework represents a first step in an attempt to help literature reviewers analyze and interpret literature in an optimally rigorous way.

Keywords

Review of the Literature, Research Synthesis, Qualitative Analysis, Constant Comparison Analysis, Domain Analysis, Taxonomic Analysis, Componential Analysis, Theme Analysis

Publication Date

7-9-2012

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2012.1754

Recommended APA Citation

Onwuegbuzie, A. J., Leech, N. L., & Collins, K. M. (2012). Qualitative Analysis Techniques for the Review of the Literature. The Qualitative Report, 17(28), 1-28. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2012.1754