A Call for Enhancing Saturation at the Qualitative Data Analysis Stage via the Use of Multiple Qualitative Data Analysis Approaches

Authors

Amber N. Sechelski, Sam Houston State UniversityFollow
Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie, Sam Houston State UniversityFollow

Abstract

The analysis of data represents the most important and difficult step in the qualitative research process. Thus, recently, a few authors have written methodological works that contain discussion of an array of qualitative data analysis approaches. Yet, despite the call of Leech and Onwuegbuzie (2007) a decade ago for qualitative researchers to analyze a given set of qualitative data in multiple ways, this practice has been largely ignored. Thus, in this article, we bolster the argument for conducting multiple data analyses. In particular, we use data stemming from an interview to demonstrate how using five qualitative data analysis approaches (e.g., constant comparison analysis, discourse analysis) helped to enhance what we refer to as analysis saturation, thereby increasing verstehen (i.e., understanding).

Keywords

Qualitative Data Analysis, Qualitative Analysis, Multiple Qualitative Data Analysis Approaches, Saturation, Analysis Saturation

Author Bio(s)

Amber N. Sechelski is a doctoral student in the Higher Education Program in the Department of Educational Leadership at Sam Houston State University. Correspondence regarding this article can be addressed directly to: ANS035@SHSU.EDU.

Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie is Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at Sam Houston State University, where he teaches doctoral-level courses in qualitative research, quantitative research, and mixed research, including program evaluation. Further, he is a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of Johannesburg. As immediate Past President of the Mixed Methods International Research Association (MMIRA), and as someone who is passionate about qualitative research, quantitative research, and mixed research, Tony co-authored the SAGE mixed research textbook with Rebecca Frels (Lamar University), entitled, Seven Steps to a Comprehensive Literature Review: A Multimodal and Cultural Approach. Currently, he is editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches and co-editor of Research in the Schools. Correspondence regarding this article can also be addressed directly to: tonyonwuegbuzie@aol.com.

Publication Date

4-17-2019

Creative Commons License

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

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2019.3554

Recommended APA Citation

Sechelski, A. N., & Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2019). A Call for Enhancing Saturation at the Qualitative Data Analysis Stage via the Use of Multiple Qualitative Data Analysis Approaches. The Qualitative Report, 24(4), 795-821. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2019.3554