Coding, sorting and sifting of qualitative data analysis: debates and discussion

摘要

A variety of prominent objectivist and positivist philosophical standpoints frequently attempt to ignore the extraordinary set of strengths and potentiality that qualitative data analysis (QDA) has in the social science research arena. Specifically, the notion that QDA involves non-scientific style of data collection and data analysis which comprises with coding, sorting and sifting of qualitative data, is frequently referred by many quantitative researchers to challenge or weaken the robustness and reliability of qualitative research. This paper aims to address this debate by scrutinising the nature and quality of the methods of qualitative research. By highlighting the philosophical stance of QDA, this paper tackles the criticisms of qualitative research, and also critically evaluates different approaches and perspectives of QDA. The paper finally goes on to justify that, QDA with its significantly broader attributes and extensive research capacity, in fact, involves more than the coding, sorting and sifting of qualitative data.