Show and Tell: OpenQDA – A Sustainable and Open Research Software for Collaborative Qualitative Data Analysis

— with Florian Hohmann (ZeMKI Bremen)

When: November 18, 10–11 am
Where: WI (Flexroom) + Zoom (hybrid)
Level: Beginner
Category: Data collection, data analysis, research software
Seats: 20 (in-person); no limit (online)

This Show and Tell is aimed at researchers in the field of qualitative research who are interested in innovative software solutions for qualitative data analysis. OpenQDA offers a unique web-based, collaborative open-source alternative for qualitative data analysis. In a market dominated by proprietary and expensive CAQDAS tools, OpenQDA takes an open approach designed specifically for the needs of modern research collaborations.

The developer team behind OpenQDA will present the fundamental idea behind the software, which allows researchers to work collaboratively in real-time on projects, share coding processes, and customize the entire research workflow—from data collection to analysis and visualization—through an open plug-in architecture. The software is built on the REFI standard, enabling the lossless exchange of data between different QDA programs. During the live demonstration, you will learn step by step how to create projects, code and analyze data, and collaborate in real time with other researchers using OpenQDA. Special attention will be given to the intuitive and streamlined interface, which supports the research process without burdening users with unnecessary complexity. Finally, participants will have the chance to ask questions about the software in a Q&A session.

In addition, on-site participants will have the opportunity to discuss future demands and possible next development steps regarding OpenQDA in a research community session after the Show and Tell (11–12 am). The development team is particularly interested in learning how CAQDAS tools are used in research and what formats analysis results take (e.g., tables, visualizations). If possible, on-site participants are asked to bring examples from published works to share with the developers and other participants.

To register for the workshop, kindly fill out this form.

Florian Hohmann works as Research Associate at the Centre for Media, Communication and Information Research (ZeMKI) at the University of Bremen.