Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-8ctnn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T09:12:27.755Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

6 - Analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 October 2019

John Boswell
Affiliation:
University of Southampton
Jack Corbett
Affiliation:
University of Southampton
R. A. W. Rhodes
Affiliation:
University of Southampton
Get access

Summary

We explain, and illustrate with examples drawn from our own work, how interpretive researchers analyse comparative data. We argue that a comparative project compounds the uncertainty, confusion and paralysis that can set in when confronted with a 'mountain' of qualitative data. We argue it is not possible to 'somehow capture' this full complexity. We outline and defend the need for a consciously impressionistic orientation to data analysis. Rather than searching for a ‘Eureka!’ moment that confirms or refutes a narrow theory (in naturalist mode) or makes sense of the whole picture (in idiographic mode), a comparative focus on dilemmas enables the use of a kaleidoscope of different analytical lenses and tools to explore complex specificness in context. We outline rules of thumb for helping along the way.

Type
Chapter
Information
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2019

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure [email protected] is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

  • Analysis
  • John Boswell, University of Southampton, Jack Corbett, University of Southampton, R. A. W. Rhodes, University of Southampton
  • Book: The Art and Craft of Comparison
  • Online publication: 10 October 2019
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108561563.006
Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

  • Analysis
  • John Boswell, University of Southampton, Jack Corbett, University of Southampton, R. A. W. Rhodes, University of Southampton
  • Book: The Art and Craft of Comparison
  • Online publication: 10 October 2019
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108561563.006
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Analysis
  • John Boswell, University of Southampton, Jack Corbett, University of Southampton, R. A. W. Rhodes, University of Southampton
  • Book: The Art and Craft of Comparison
  • Online publication: 10 October 2019
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108561563.006
Available formats
×