- Introduction
- NVivo, the revolutionary qualitative analysis tool that originated with NUD*IST, a software introduced in the 1990s, is evaluated by Mark Warnes (2018) Conducting A Literature Review Using NVivo. A software application widely popular for its analytic proficiency with qualitative data, NVivo allows the user to extrapolate meaningful analysis from a large data set of textual content. Cited for its instrumentality in the creation of a digital library for literature review of scholarship about "Teacher Excellence" in higher education, the article is an apt case study of NVivo's end-to-end application.
- Review
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A qualitative analysis tool for literature review?
Since the 1990s, software tools designed to organise, analyse, and manage empirical research activities utilising complex qualitative data sets, have markedly improved. As Warnes describes, until recently the colossal challenge research analysts were facing was largely associated with the need to dissect representative variables from large volumes of content. As the article suggests, before NVivo collecting and disseminating a representative compendium of literature for review, began with the time-consuming process of summary analysis of each scholarly work cited before key variables could be identified.
Structured analysis made simple.
With NVivo, gathering research that counts is simplified. From the methodological standpoint, the software tool offers a comprehensive approach to both data collection and analysis. The NVivo's application process is nuanced, indicates Warnes. The software tool's sophisticated sorting and coding capabilities enable the categorising of variables from textual content before the thematic analysis begins. Warnes convenes with other scholars that NVivo eliminates the hassle of framing data for grounded theory interpretation, by detecting and identifying key concepts within the literature with tags (Paulus, Lester, & Dempster, 2014; Richards, 2009).
Scholarly synthesis in digital.
Creating a digital library is an essential step for any scholar today. When one considers the use of NVivo in the literature review process as Warnes recommends, and it seems the benefits outweigh the costs. Small wonder the software application touted as the best for qualitative research analysis, is the one that offers the advantage of enhanced analytical depth required by comprehensive literature review. NVivo expands the use-value of the literature review process, by establishing a digital repository capable of retrieving cross-referenced texts.
Implications for future research?
In the case study of "Teacher Excellence," Warnes suggests NVivo streamlined the data capture and variable categorised process, as well as increased the analytical depth of coded variables once defined. The discussion of findings from the study of higher education policy and practice using NVivo software for creation of a digital library of scholarship on the subject for literature review, supports the argument NVivo is a vital tool for academic research. - Conclusion
- Warnes' article addresses the utility of the NVivo software application for literature review. As the article suggests, the popular analytic tool identifies key variables within the complex array of textual discourse for purposes of creating a digital library. NVivo reduces the risk of overstating outlier variables, such as alternative theories associated with a field of operationalized practice, hence improving the representativeness of a literature review's intellectual brevity. Warnes' evaluation of NVivo's capabilities gives credence to the argument the software application is a viable tool for enhancing the value of academic discourse.
- References
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Paulus, T., Lester, J. N., & Dempster, P. G. (2014). Digital Tools for Qualitative Research. Sage Publications Ltd.
Richards, L. (2009). Handling Qualitative Data: A Practical Guide. Sage Publications Ltd.
Warnes, M. (2018). Conducting a Literature Review using NVivo. Research Gate.