7. From Codes and Counts to Content Analysis and “Big Data”

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Sandelowski, M., Voils, C.I., & Knafl, G. (2009). On quantitizing. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 3(3), 208-222. doi: 10.1177/1558689809334210

Examines the benefits and cautions relating to the use of counts from qualitative data.

Popping, R. (2015). Analyzing open-ended questions by means of text analysis procedures. Bulletin de Methodologie Sociologique, 128, 23-39. doi: 10.1177/0759106315597389

Discusses instrumental versus representational coding in the context of analysing open-ended questions in surveys.

Kitchin, R. (2014). Big data, new epistemologies and paradigm shifts. Big Data & Society, 1(1), 1-12. doi: 10.1177/2053951714528481

Provides a really clear exposition of the paradigmatic shift that has been prompted by big data and a discussion of the mechanics and paradigmatic implications of having big data intersect with the humanities and social sciences.

Wagner-Pacifici, R., Mohr, J.W., & Breiger, R.L. (2015). Ontologies, methodologies, and new uses of big data in the social and cultural sciences. Big Data & Society, 2(2), 1-11. doi: 10.1177/2053951715613810

An editorial for the July–December 2015 issue of Big Data & Society which usefully reviews 18 of the articles comprising the issue. Both the review and the articles they review are worth following up for their mind-expanding insight into the “pitfalls and promises” of big data.

Integrating Analyses in Mixed Methods Research

Student Resources

7. From Codes and Counts to Content Analysis and “Big Data”