This session introduces several approaches to content analysis, including basic descriptive techniques as well as interpretive and more broadly qualitative strategies. It pays special attention to thematic analysis, explaining its purpose, main steps, and typical outputs. The lecture also clarifies how inductive, deductive, and abductive logics can be applied in qualitative analysis and how these reasoning strategies shape the development of categories, themes, and explanations. In addition, students will learn the core principles of coding, including how to build and refine a coding scheme and maintain analytical consistency. The session concludes with an overview of software-aided qualitative content analysis, focusing on how digital tools can support coding, data management, and transparent documentation of analytic decisions.
Compulsory Reading (46pp):
- Drisko, James W. and Tina Maschi. 2016. Content Analysis. New York: Oxford University Press, 1-8 (Introduction), 81-119 (Chapter 4).
Recommended Reading (25pp):
- Swain, Jon. 2018. A Hybrid Approach to Thematic Analysis in Qualitative Research: Using a Practical Example. In SAGE Research Methods Cases. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.