Principles of Data Storage and Retrieval for Use in Qualitative Evaluations

Abstract

In spite of increased interest in recent years in the mechanics of qualitative evaluation, few evaluators or other qualitative researchers have addressed the related issues of qualitative data storage-retrieval and data reduction-analysis. Generalized procedures for these tasks, which are generally known within the field of anthropology, have never been systematically examined or codified. This paper borrows from developments in information and library science to construct general principles of data storage and retrieval for the field-based investigator. The five principles that are examined are formatting, cross-referral, indexing (including thesauri design and cross-referencing), abstracting, and pagination. The principles are illustrated with examples from evaluations of school-based programs in the United States. Although the emphasis here is on techniques for manual data manipulation, the paper also explores the advantages of, and considerations for, computerized data storage and search. Finally, the paper also includes a discussion of the more obvious implications of decisions about data storage and retrieval for data reduction and analysis.