Illumination with a Dim Bulb? What Do Social Scientists Learn by Employing Qualitative Data Analysis Software in the Service of Multimethod Designs?

Abstract

Although there has been much optimistic discussion of integrating quantitative and qualitative findings into sociological analysis, there remains a gap regarding the application of mixed approaches. We examine the potential gains and pitfalls of such integration in the context of the growing analytic power of contemporary qualitative data analysis software (QDAS) programs. We illustrate the issues with our own research in a mixed-methods project examining low fertility in Italy, a project that combines analysis of large nationally representative survey data with qualitative in-depth interviews with women across four (4) cities in Italy. Despite the enthusiasm for mixed-methods research, the available software appears to be underutilized. In addition, we suggest that the sociological research community will want to address several conceptual and inferential issues with these approaches.

Postindustrial Fertility Ideals, Intentions, and Gender Inequality: A Comparative Qualitative Analysis

“…This opens a window into what they view as desirable , what they view as possible , and why . Our approach is consistent with several other demographers’ use of in‐depth interviews (Bernardi, Klärner, and von der Lippe ; Miller and Carlson ; Miller and Sassler ; Randall and Koppenhaver ; White, Judd, and Poliandri ). A key strength of using in‐depth interviews in demographic research lies in the ability “to get closer to understanding ‘why’ people behave in certain ways and their own representations of their rationales” (Randall and Koppenhaver : 58).…”

Childbearing in Italy and Spain: Postponement Narratives

“…Researchers with connections in the localities used networks of acquaintances and opportunities for contact with relevant strangers to identify multiple independently selected starting points for recruitment combined with a modest element of “snowballing.” This procedure has been described as “complex indirect snowball sampling” and is effective in preventing unwanted “clustering” (White, Judd, and Poliandri ). Of 35 childless women interviewed, 26 were defined as postponing having children—three were sure that they did not want children and six were trying to become pregnant.…”

“…Demographers have primarily addressed postponement by scrutinizing individuals’ fertility ideals or desires and intentions looking at associations between these and their socioeconomic characteristics and circumstances, as well as the welfare regimes and cultural context of their societies. In much of the previous research, access to the voices of those who are postponing has often been limited to a small number of survey items, although there are notable exceptions (Randall and Koppenhaver ; White, Judd, and Poliandri ; Bernardi, Klärner, and Von der Lippe ; Brinton et al. ) and renewed interest in combining qualitative research with quantitative demographic analysis (Randall and Koppenhaver ).…”

“…Demographers have primarily addressed postponement by scrutinizing individuals' fertility ideals or desires and intentions looking at associations between these and their socioeconomic characteristics and circumstances, as well as the welfare regimes and cultural context of their societies. In much of the previous research, access to the voices of those who are postponing has often been limited to a small number of survey items, although there are notable exceptions (Randall and Koppenhaver 2004;White, Judd, and Poliandri 2012;Bernardi, Klärner, and Von der Lippe 2008;Brinton et al 2018) and renewed interest in combining qualitative research with quantitative demographic analysis (Randall and Koppenhaver 2004). Here, we take a different approach and analyze women's accounts derived from semistructured qualitative interviews with Italian and Spanish women aged 30-35 in well-established heterosexual relationships who are either sure that they want children but "not yet" or who are ambivalent and oscillate within their accounts between futures with and without children.…”

Aproximación metodológica al análisis de contenidos a partir del discurso de los actores. Un ensayo de investigación social de procesos de desarrollo local (Loja, Ecuador)

“…Sin olvidar las necesarias cautelas al utilizar este tipo de instrumentos (Junker, 2012), el trabajo con el software tiene muchas otras ventajas, también de orden práctico, como la posibilidad de ponderar la importancia u orientación de determinada argumentación codificada (White et al, 2012) 4 . En nuestro caso se ha restringido a valorar la posición de los actores (favorable, neutra o desfavorable) ante determinadas intervenciones públicas.…”