User:Nvsware/Sandbox

NVivo is a Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) computer software package produced by QSR International. It has been designed for qualitative researchers working with very rich text-based and/or multimedia information, where deep levels of analysis on small or large volumes of data are required.

Description
NVivo helps academic, government and commercial researchers to organize and analyze complex non numerical or unstructured data. The software allows users to classify, sort and arrange thousands of pieces of information; examine complex relationships in the data; and combine subtle analysis with linking, shaping, searching and modeling.

The software provides a much deeper level of analysis. The researcher or analyst can test theories, identify trends and cross-examine information in a multitude of ways using its search engine and query functions. They can make observations in the software and build a body of evidence to support their case or project.

NVivo accommodates a wide range of research methods, including network and organizational analysis, action or evidence-based research, discourse analysis, grounded theory, conversation analysis, ethnography, literature reviews, phenomenology and mixed methods research. It supports documents in all languages.

"It is interesting that qualitative consultants are not altogether happy with current ways that they analyze qualitative data. Many described how time consuming and tedious it is to listen to tapes, how analysis is a big job that requires “a lot of space, paper and no wind!” and how frustrating it is not to be able to quickly get your hands on that juicy quote you know is there, somewhere.

"Fortunately, there are some tools that address these issues. Key issues include how these packages can be used to: transform data, organize data, analyze data and report analysis." (Silvana di Gregorio, PhD, SdG Associates)

Features overview
Managing projects in NVivo:
 * NVivo 8 allows users to open and work with projects developed in previous versions of QSR software including NVivo 7, N6, NVivo 2, N5, N4 (NUD*IST 4) and NVivo 1.
 * NVivo 8 combines the core functionality in previous versions of QSR software, NVivo 7, NVivo 2 and N6 (NUD*IST 6). It supersedes these products.
 * Ability to work with data in any language or work with a combination of languages in the same project, including character based languages such as Chinese.
 * Ability to handle small to very large volumes of data. Users are working with as many as 10,000 documents.
 * Ability to merge separate projects or use the structure of an existing project in a new one.
 * Store documents, transcripts, observations and findings together in a single project file which can be password protected to secure sensitive information.

Usability:
 * Ability to rearrange the user interface to suit you. Work in docked or undocked windows, show or hide toolbars or add or remove icons from toolbars.
 * Organize and access all of your project items via a central navigation view.
 * Choose how to view project items in virtually every folder – as thumbnails or lists.
 * Context sensitive menus change depending on the items you are working with. Also, ‘drag and drop’ functionality makes it easy to move data.
 * Explore your data with confidence knowing you can retrace your steps using unique multi-level ‘undo’. NVivo is the only qualitative research software that allows you to undo all actions that affect your data.
 * Import documents in Microsoft Word (.doc), rich text (.rtf) format or plain text (.txt), including documents with embedded tables and images.
 * Import video files and media clips that are in .mpg, .mpeg, .mpe, .wmv, .avi, .mov, .mp4 or .qt formats.
 * Import audio files in .mp3, .wma, or .wav formats.
 * Import digital photos and pictures in .bmp, .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .tif or .tiff formats.

Organization of information and thoughts:
 * Get started using the resources in NVivo’s help menu like online help, animated tutorials and a guide to Getting Started.
 * Work straight from audio or video files, analyzing your materials as you go. NVivo allows you to work with media files even if you don’t have a transcript.
 * Display coding in documents, pictures, video or audio files visually using coding stripes. Choose which stripes to display or see up to 200 stripes. Your coding stripes can also be printed.
 * Organize nodes into hierarchies for easy access to data.
 * Group project items of different types together using ‘sets’.
 * Use ‘attributes’ to compare cases using demographic data like gender, age or region.
 * Use ‘externals’ or proxy sources to represent material that cannot be imported such as websites or books.
 * Connect items in the project that may have a similar theme.
 * Create memos to capture observations and link them to documents.
 * Use ‘annotations’ to comment on selected content.

Develop and refine ideas:
 * Move data easily with ‘drag and drop’ functionality. Context sensitive menus change depending on the items you are working with.
 * Explore evidence about relations between items, processes and people with NVivo’s unique ‘relationships’ tool.
 * Visually display new ideas, connections and findings using ‘models’.
 * Use a matrix to compare items and identify patterns or themes.
 * Query data with a powerful search engine. Save queries, re-run them through new data and track the evolution of results.
 * Gather items together using ‘advanced find’
 * Find and/or replace text in a ‘source’ such as an interview transcript.
 * Collect related material by coding at nodes or sets that represent themes, ideas, people or places. Refine or remove coding at any point.
 * Use a range of techniques to code, including paragraph coding, quick coding or ‘In Vivo’ coding. ‘Auto code’ is also available for structured information such as questionnaires.
 * Use the ‘word frequency query’ to identify the most frequently used words in selected sources or nodes. Undertake a range of searches including full text searches and coding searches.

Share and report findings:
 * Export models, charts and query results into reports or presentations, including Microsoft Word or Excel.
 * Export information such as charts, in PDF format.
 * Share project files and findings as HTML web pages with non NVivo users. Share the information gathered under a node, or just export specific project items like audio files, videos or sections of documents.
 * Import and export data for use in spreadsheets or statistical programs.
 * Produce a wide range of inbuilt reports such as a project summary, source summary, node summary, relationship summary or coding summary report.

Software management:
 * Receive automatic notifications when new service packs are released.
 * View the inbuilt ‘readme’ file to see a list of recent software enhancements and other important information.
 * Use the ‘compact and repair’ function to optimize project performance.
 * Install, activate and extend NVivo software and licenses across many computers centrally via an MSI package.
 * Access the free Network Administrator’s Guide for assistance with the installation, activation and roll out of NVivo across your organization.

System Requirements

 * 1GHz Pentium III-compatible processor or faster (1.6 GHz recommended)
 * 256 MB RAM (512 MB recommended)
 * 1024 x 768 screen resolution (1280 x 1024 screen resolution recommended)
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 or later (Windows XP SP2 or later – including Microsoft Windows Vista SP1 - recommended)
 * Approximately 1 GB of available hard-disk space (2GB recommended)

Usage
NVivo is used predominantly by academic, government and commercial researchers across a diverse range of fields, including social science, psychology, forensics, tourism and marketing. The software is used by respected organizations around the world, including the Children’s Hospital Boston, Harvard University Medical School, and virtually every university in Australia.

History

 * 1999 - The first NVivo software product is developed by Tom Richards. It contains tools for fine, detailed analysis and qualitative modeling.
 * 2000 - QSR launches N5. It features a new interface and tools for project set up and document preparation.
 * 2002 - QSR launches its N6 software, which can handle very large amounts of data. NVivo 2 is launched in the same year. It contains new tools for showing and examining data, supporting finer analysis and more detailed searching.
 * 2005 - QSR International is awarded a R&D Commercial Ready grant from AusIndustry to advance NVivo.
 * 2006 - QSR becomes a Microsoft Gold Partner in January. NVivo 7 is launched in February. It combines QSR's NVivo 2 and N6 software with new features and tools. In June, NVivo 7 is used as a reference project at Microsoft conference, TechEd, in Boston.
 * 2007 - QSR partners with Japanese firm Hulinks to deliver qualitative research software program NVivo 7 in Japanese.
 * 2008 - NVivo 8 is launched in March. In August, QSR launches Simplified Chinese and Spanish versions of NVivo 8.  A Japanese version of NVivo 8 follows in November.