Musings of a Skeptical Software Junkie and the Hyper Research™ Fix

Abstract

This article considers some of the hazards and benefits of using computer-assisted software to analyze qualitative empirical evidence. Specifically, I discuss HyperRESEARCH, one software package currently on the market and available to both Macintosh and PC users. This article is not intended as a substitute for the user’s manual nor to be an exhaustive discussion of the software’s features. Instead I attempt to illustrate some of HyperRESEARCH’s unique characteristics, suggest how qualitative researchers might think about using them and provide some basic practical advice.

Keywords

Computer-assisted qualitative analysis software HyperRESEARCH qualitative analysis qualitative methods

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Drisko, J. (1997) ‘Using Qualitative Data Analysis Software: Merits and Hazards’, Computers in Human Services 15(1): 1-19.

Liebow, E. (1995) Tell Them Who I Am: The Lives of Homeless Women. New York: Penguin.

Miles, M. B. and Huberman, A. M. (1994) Qualitative Data Analysis: An Expanded Source-book, 2nd edn. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Researchware, Inc. (1999) HyperRESEARCH 2.0: User’s manual. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Schwandt, T. A. (1997) Qualitative Inquiry: A Dictionary of Terms. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Staller, K. M. (2001) ‘Doctoral Education at CUSSW: Looking Past the Present’, in R. Feldman and S. B. Kamerman (eds) The Columbia University School of Social Work: A Centennial Celebration, pp. 347-365. New York: Columbia University Press.

Staller, K. M. (2002) Working the Scam: Policing Urban Street Youth, Qualitative Inquiry 8(5): 550-574.

Weitzman, E. A. (2000) ‘Software and Qualitative Research’, in N. K. Denzin and Y. S. Lincoln, Handbook of Qualitative Research, pp. 803-820. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.