Structured,Qualitative Comparison

This article defines qualitative data as representations of human acts and utterances, conventionally analysed in the form of long, coherent texts. The purpose of qualitative research is to interpret the actors' understandings and intentions.On the background of this definition, I make a distinction between variable-coding and theme-coding and between code-oriented and content-oriented analysis. Variable-coding of the text-content should be avoided, since this implies reducing multi-dimensional qualitative data to single-dimensional data. However, variable-coding of background-information can be used together with theme-coding of the text-content without corrupting the qualitative data. I call this approach structured, qualitative comparison. In that way it is possible to retain the many levels of meaning of qualitative data throughout the research-process, while focusing on the importance of macro-variables or scope-conditions, which indicate the potential area of validity of the findings.By examples from a comparison of Norwegian and German factories, I demonstrate the usefulness of such a content-oriented analysis-style for qualitative research, as well as for combining qualitative and quantitative data. In this way, the basic characteristics of qualitative data are preserved throughout the research-process.     

A Purposeful Approach to the Constant Comparative Method in the Analysis of Qualitative Interviews

The constant comparative method (CCM) together with theoretical sampling constitutethe core of qualitative analysis in the grounded theory approach and in other types ofqualitative research. Since the application of the method remains rather unclear, researchers do not know how to `go about' the CCM in their research practice. This study contributes to a purposeful approach of the CCM in order to systematize the analysis process and to increase the traceability and verification of the analyses. The step by step approach is derived from and illustrated with an empirical study into the experience of multiple sclerosis (MS) by patients and their spousal care providers. In this study five different steps were distinguished on the basis of four criteria: (1) the data involved and the overall analysis activities, (2) the aim, (3) the results and (4) the questions asked. It is concluded that systematization of qualitative analysis results from the researcher using a sound plan for conducting CCM regarding these four aspects.     

A Process Perspective on Organizational Failure: A Qualitative Meta‐Analysis

An important stream of the organizational failure literature has proposed process models to describe how firms fail. Despite much progress, this stream is currently at a crossroads. Previous process models try to capture how failure unfolds in singular models that describe organizational failure as the result of either inertia or extremism or as a mixture of both. However, it remains unclear how these competing explanations are related and what underlying mechanisms explain why organizational failure processes unfold as they do. We address these issues by examining failure processes using a qualitative meta‐analysis research design. The qualitative meta‐analysis allows us to analyse and synthesize the wealth of previously published single‐case studies in order to develop process models of organizational failure. The most salient finding of our analysis is that failure processes converge around four distinct process archetypes, which we name imperialist, laggard, villain, and politicized. Each process archetype can be explained by the interplay of distinct rigidity and conflict mechanisms. Differentiating the four process archetypes and explaining the underlying mechanisms helps to resolve some contradictions in the previous failure process literature.     

Qualitative Text Analysis Supported by Conceptual Data Systems

Content analysis as a method in social sciences is used to systematically explore textual data. Data resulting from content analysis can be made transparent by saving it in a conceptual data system. This supports its interpretation and reexamination and the process of interpretative theory building. By means of an example of a conceptual data system from musicology, the possibilities and restrictions of this new approach in computer-aided qualitative text research are analyzed. Finally, the approach is discussed as a general method of qualitative formal theory building in the context of content analysis.     

Qualitative Research in Management: A Decade of Progress

Approximately 10 years ago, Lee et al. reviewed the qualitative methods published during 1979–99 in the major US journals in the organizational sciences. This ten‐year follow‐up review of 198 qualitative articles assesses the progress made in qualitative research in management by specifically considering: (1) the strength and legitimacy of recent publications that challenge any positivistic stigmatizations of qualitative research; (2) the methodological advances in qualitative methods, including the use and elucidation of novel techniques; and (3) the general contribution of qualitative research to the accumulation of management knowledge. By encompassing both US and European journals in our review, we also compare and contrast the qualitative research published on both sides of the Atlantic, stressing what each can learn from the other. We highlight exemplary articles and procedures and make recommendations for the next decade of qualitative research in management.     

交-交变频器在使用中的被干扰与抗干扰对策

在各种工业自动控制的过程中,控制设备的防干扰问题是十分突出的。文章有针对性的对矿井提升机中所使用的专用微机控制装置所遇到的各种干扰源进行了较全面细致的分析,并介绍了各种相应的解决措施。     

Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis Using Latent and Manifest Variables

The relative virtues of quantitative and qualitative research have been vigorously debated. Several researchers recommend combining methodologies but there is little evidence in the literature to suggest how different research methods might be integrated (Bryman, 1988). The current study addresses this deficiency in the research by examining the use of latent variables in quantitative and qualitative research as a means of blending the two approaches. A study of entrepreneurial Locus of Control where quantitative and qualitative data were available illustrates the methodological issues. Analysis of quantitative data was conducted using LISREL (7.20) and qualitative data were categorised using NUD.IST (Non-numerical Unstructured Data Indexing Searching and Theorising computer software). Detailed comparisons are made between the methods described in this paper and other approaches to content analysis.     

Computerized Decision Support Systems and Text Analysis: Evaluating CETA

Computers can play several different roles in text analysis. We will examine one of these, computerized decision support systems; first giving a brief introduction to the general features of this family of software and then focusing on CETA (Computer Aided Evaluative Text Analysis) – developed by Van Cuilenburg et al. (1988) – a well known example of this type of computer assisted text analysis tool. After outlining the principles and recommended procedures for the use of CETA, we will formulate several hypotheses concerning its strengths and weaknesses. These will be tested by means of a case study: an in-depth analysis of news coverage by the New York Times of the air traffic controllers' strike against the Reagan administration in the early 1980s. We will focus primarily on one key NYT editorial to illustrate the potential and limitations of CETA.     

经济学的定性分析与定量分析:争论与融合

定性分析和定量分析是经济学研究的两种基本手段。前者是对经济事物本质及其属性的分析;后者是对经济事物进行量的考察。学术界对两者存在较严重的分歧,以致形成不同学派的论战;文章就定量分析与定性分析的发展及其发展过程中的争论和融合进行研究,得出结论:经济学的科学性和人文性决定了经济学研究方法必须做到定性分析和定量分析相结合。     

多元统计分析之因子分析浅析

多元统计分析是统计学中内容十分丰富、应用范围极为广泛的一个分支。在自然科学和社会科学的许多学科中,研究者都有可能需要分析处理有多个变量的数据的问题。本文对其中的因子分析的概念、模型及分析步骤作了讨论。     

企业财务预警定性分析法之比较

目前企业财务预警分析大多是定量研究,但其不能揭示出企业存在的所有问题,而且对于非财务因素,运用财务数据建立的预警模型是无法解决的,这就需要定量研究与定性研究相结合,本文主要研究企业财务预警定性分析法,并对其进行比较,对企业的情况有一个更为全面、客观的预测分析,以此弥补定量分析法的不足。     

Qualitative Input–Output Analysis of the Indian Economic Structure

Qualitative input–output (IO) analysis can be considered mostly in terms of a graph-theoretic formulation, which involves the construction and use of an adjacency matrix, derived from a binary transformation of the IO coefficient matrix. Classical attempts at qualitative IO analysis have derived the structure from the direct IO coefficient table. In more recent attempts, greater sophistication has been achieved by incorporating a degree of quantification into the qualitative analysis. Also, the concept of important coefficients (IC) has been used for the construction of the adjacency matrix. The present study is carried out along these lines for the Indian economy.     

Qualitative methodology and its pitfalls in educational research

There is considerable controversy in educational research with respect to the use of qualitative and quantitative data and as to what constitutes scientific research. The objective of this study is to explore the degree to which in-service teachers understand the difference between qualitative/quantitative data and methods, validity/authenticity, generalization and how these can be used to solve problems faced by the teachers. The study is based on 84 participants who had registered for a 10-week course on Methodology of Investigation in Education, as part of their Master’s degree program. The course is based on 11 readings drawing on a history and philosophy of science perspective (positivism, constructivism, Popper, Kuhn, Lakatos). Course activities included written reports, class room discussions based on participants’ presentations, and written exams. Based on the results obtained it is concluded: (a) Most participants understood that the problem to be investigated precedes the method and determines the methodology to be used; (b) As all observations are theory-laden, it is preferable that interpretations based on both qualitative and quantitative data be allowed to compete in order to provide validity to our research findings; (c) The difference between validity and authenticity was controversial and most participants considered the need for interpreting data and hence favored authenticity; (d) Discussions led to the idea of ‘degrees of validity’ as both validity in the quantitative sense and authenticity in the qualitative sense, ultimately depend on critical appraisals of the community; (e) Generalizability of results obtained from qualitative studies was a controversial topic and most participants agreed that it is not desirable to generalize; (f) Discussions suggested an alternative: In both qualitative and quantitative research generalizability is possible, provided we are willing to grant that our conceptions/theories are not entirely grounded in empirical evidence but rather on the degree to which the community can uphold such a consensus; (g) Most teachers considered the use of participant observation in qualitative research as non-controversial. Class discussions led to the understanding that emphasizing observations may lead us to the Aristotelian ideal of empirical science; (h) Formulation of hypotheses, manipulation of variables, and the quest for causal variables was considered by many teachers to be equivalent to the scientific method. Discussions facilitated the understanding that this led to idealization and thus helped to reduce the complexity of a problem.     

Multi-Method Triangulation in a Qualitative Study on Teachers' Practical Knowledge: An Attempt to Increase Internal Validity

This article describes multi-method triangulation as a means to enhance the internal validity in a qualitative study on language teachers' practical knowledge. Teachers' practical knowledge is viewed as a multi-dimensional concept, requiring multiple instruments for its exploration. In the triangulation procedure, data collected with three instruments were analysed and related to each other. Three steps of analysis, preceded by a pre-analysis step, were used to combine these data. The triangulation procedure culminated in a fairly comprehensive understanding of teachers' practical knowledge with respect to the teaching of reading comprehension to 16- to 18-year-old students. It was concluded that multi-method triangulation is a worthwhile procedure to enhance the internal validity in qualitative studies on a complex topic such as teachers' practical knowledge.     

A Qualitative Analysis to Determine the Domains and Skills Necessary to Lead in Public Health

Leadership programs in public health have been declining in numbers since 2012. The decline in training programs could be due to the lack of outcome‐based results and the lack of a manageable set of standardized skills needed for public health leadership. A comprehensive study was completed in two phases to determine if the current model of public health leadership institutes is effective at generating outcome‐based results. The following paper will focus on the first phase of the study. The first phase included a qualitative analysis to determine the domains, definitions, and skills needed to lead. An analysis of the skills, domains, definitions, and traits included in five established and commonly used leadership models/theories in public health leadership development (Transformational, Servant, Appreciative, Collaborative, and Emotional Intelligence leadership) plus the National Public Health Leadership Development Network (NLN) Leadership for Community Health, Safety & Resilience Competency Framework was completed. Of the 161 different skills, definitions, traits, and/or competencies from the five leadership models and the NLN competency framework, 123 were determined to be related to one of six domains needed for leadership and were defined into 21 skills. The findings could lead to more uniformity in public health leadership development and evaluation.     

Contextual content analysis

This article suggests one way to systematically code textual data for research. The approach utilizes computer content analysis to examine patterns of emphasized ideas in text as well as the social context or underlying perspective reflected in the text. A conceptual dictionary is used to organize word meanings. An extensive profile of word meanings is used to characterize and discriminate social contexts. Social contexts are analyzed in relation to four reference dimensions (traditional, practical, emotional and analytic) which are used in the social science literature. The approach is illustrated with five widely varying texts, analyzed with selected comparative data. This approach has been useful in many social science investigations to system-atically score open-ended textual information. Scores can be incorporated into quantitative analysis with other data, used as a guide to qualitative studies, and to help integrate strengths of quantitative and qualitative approaches to research.     

浅析数控车削加工工艺

数控机床是一种高效率的自动化设备,它的效率是普通机床的2～3倍,所以要想充分发挥数控机床的高效率特点,必须在编程之前对工件进行工艺分析,根据具体条件,选择经济、合理的工艺方案。我们在本文中结合生产实践,探讨和总结一些数控车削的工艺问题。     

Planning and implementation of a computerized inventory system in central service

The computerization of any manual system must be carefully planned before a computer system is selected. An adequate record-keeping system must exist before conversion to a computerized system takes place. Once selected, the computer vendor must be able to provide what the customer requires. More importantly, the computer vendor must be able to provide support services after the system is implemented. User capabilities and acceptance must be considered, and each step of the implementation phase must be thoroughly communicated to all who will be affected. Finally, to provide the most accurate real-time information, files must be maintained and updated as changes occur.     

Efficiency analysis of social protection expenditure in the Italian Regions

The attention and demand for greater social protection is increasing among the populations of all European countries. It is difficult to identify which of the structures and infrastructures, sectors and regional budgets are inefficient and/or negligent in respect of providing more social protection. In the political sphere the problem is examined from a qualitative point of view, because it is essential to have a valid decisional support system that provides useful information for structural and economic intervention programs devised to improve social protection. Regional spending on social protection is a fundamental component of individual well-being. This work is precisely aimed at assessing individual well-being in terms of technical expenses efficiency in the Italian Regions. Stochastic frontier analysis and a nonparametric deterministic model structure are the tools used to investigate the social protection determinants in the paper.