Software and Tools for Researchers: Data
Data Analysis
Many of the tools described on this page have similar capabilities so choice is often based upon how commonly they are used within certain disciplines, how well they are documented and how readily available they are in practice.
- Discover Data ScienceDiscover Data Science provides prospective data science students with accurate and expert-driven information about data science, business analytics and intelligence, and associated fields.
Textual & Audiovisual Analysis
Textual or mixed method analytical programs are often grouped together under the title of ‘computer assisted qualitative data analysis software’ (CAQDAS). Further information about CAQDAS software can be found on the University of Surrey's CAQDAS page and the University of Huddersfield's Online QDA website.
NVivo
NVivo is a software package created to deal with qualitative or mixed methods data such as interviews and focus groups. This may either be in the form of text transcriptions or certain types of audio and video recordings. It allows extensive annotation and segmentation of data as part of organisation, categorisation and analysis.
Access via UCD's IT services - Nvivo is available in both Software Downloads and the Application Catalogue
Training
- NVIVO IntroductionIntroduction by Shirley Moloney, Staffing & Finance Manager, UCD Library
- NVivo - getting startedSubject/Audience: NVivo qualitative research software
Provider: QSR International - NVivo guideSubject/Audience: suite of online guide pages to NVivo
Provider: Kent State University - NVivo SupportKnowledge base, forums and user help including blogs and webinars.
- NVivo - extensive video tutorial rangeSubject/Audience NVivo qualitative research software
Provider: QSR International
From Analysis to Writing - How to Begin Writing your Research Findings
In this video from QSR, Dr. Veronica Richard shares tips for working with qualitative data, to understand important steps in qualitative data analysis so you can write about your findings in cogent ways.
MAXQDA
This is an alternative to Nvivo and handles a similar range of data types allowing organisation, colour coding and retrieval of data. MAXQDA is a software package for computer-assisted qualitative data analysis (CAQDAS) and mixed methods research. This software helps researchers and analysts gain insights from written or text documents such as submissions, open text questions in a survey, audio or video. A range of data visualisation tools are also included.
ATLAS.ti is a computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software that facilitates analysis of qualitative data for qualitative research, quantitative research, and mixed methods research. ATLAS.ti helps you uncover actionable insights with intuitive and automatic research tools powered by the latest AI and machine learning algorithms with best-in-class technology. Built for every need: from basic analysis tasks to the most in-depth research projects.
Dedoose is a qualitative data analysis application designed for mixed methods research. This allows for the analysis of research data that is both qualitative, such as text, audio, images, or video, or quantitative such as spreadsheets, test scores, or demographics. You can mix both qualitative and quantitative data in your analysis.
QDA Miner is mixed methods and qualitative data analysis software developed by Provalis Research. The program was designed to assist researchers in managing, coding and analyzing qualitative data. QDA Miner was first released in 2004 after being developed by Normand Peladeau.
Numerical Analysis
Excel
Microsoft Excel is one of the most commonly used spreadsheet packages using a grid of cells in rows and columns to organise data. It can be used to carry out arithmetic calculations and display data as graphs, histograms and charts.
SAS
SAS is statistical analysis software.
SPSS
Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) is used widely in business, marketing as well as academia. It is a starting point for most interested in analysis of statistical data and also produced tabulations and graphics. SPSS may also function as a data organisation and limited research documentation tool. It is easy to learn and is often recommended for general use.
- SPSS and AMOS guideSubject/Audience: SPSS Statistical analysis software. A useful guide with links to a variety of freely available online tutorial
Provider: Kent State University - Video tutorials - statistical analysis softwareSubject/Audience: Analysing, visualising and downloading social science amd health data using the UK Data Service’s statistical analysis software
Provider: UK Data Service - SAS TutorialThis guide, from Kent State University, contains written and illustrated tutorials for the statistical software SAS.
Stata
A software package that is an alternative to SPSS and performs similar functions of analysis, modelling and tabulation. It takes longer to learn than SPSS but is more powerful and flexible. In addition it benefits from regular updates of its techniques.
PSPP
Free alternative to SPSS
- RR is a free software environment for statistical computing and graphics. From this website you can download and install the software. It provides a wide variety of statistical and graphical techniques: linear and nonlinear modelling, statistical tests, time series analysis, classification and clustering. It is a major rival of SPSS and Stata.
- Resources to help you learn and use RProvider: Institute for Digital Research and Education - UCLA
Cybersecurity
- A Guide to Coding for CybersecurityBrief description of the ten computer programming languages most relevant to cybersecurity professionals.
- National Institute of Standards and Technology - Cyber Security PortalNIST develops cybersecurity standards, guidelines, best practices, and resources to meet the needs of U.S. industry, federal agencies, and the broader public.
Data Cleaning
- OpenRefineA free, open source, powerful tool for working with messy data
See Shawn Day's course material and tutorials: http://digitalnomad.ie/using-open-refine/ and http://digitalnomad.ie/more-advanced-openrefine-tutorial/
Books in UCD Library
Check out the UCD Library Catalogue for books on data analysis and specialist software.
Software Applications in UCD
- Software Applications in UCDUCD IT Services offer a range of academic software options for teaching that can be accessed in a number of different ways.
Books Available in UCD Library
Qualitative Data Analysis with NVivo by ISBN: 9781446256565Publication Date: 2013This straightforward, jargon-free book provides an invaluable introduction to planning and conducting qualitative data analysis with NVivo. Practical, clear and focused the book effectively shows how NVivo software can accommodate and assist analysis across a wide range of research questions, data types, perspectives and methodologies.
The Nvivo Qualitative Project Book by ISBN: 9780761970002Publication Date: 2007This book invites readers to learn how to use qualitative data analysis software in the context of doing their research project. The reader follows basic steps for creating and conducting a real project with real data, using the new-generation software package, QSR NVivo. The software tools are introduced only as needed and explained in the framework of what is being asked.
Qualitative Data Analysis: Explorations with NVivo by ISBN: 9780335200849Publication Date: 2002"With clear examples, each step in NVivo is clearly described and thoughtfully explained in the context of what is being done and how it supports qualitative inquiry." - Professor Lyn Richards, Director, QSR
How can qualitative analysis of textual data be undertaken? How can the core procedures of qualitative analysis be followed using computer software such as NVivo? How can the extra tools NVivo offers the analyst be used to support and improve qualitative analysis? Qualitative Data Analysis introduces readers to key approaches in qualitative analysis, demonstrating in each case how to carry them out using NVivo.
Doing Research in the Real World by ISBN: 9781473947276Publication Date: 2018Expertly weaving quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods together, it encourages readers to be open-minded in choosing the most appropriate methods for their projects. Featuring a full set of updated and integrated digital resources, as well as three new chapters on visual methods, qualitative data analysis with NVivo, and digital research.
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