MAXQDA - The Art of Text Analysis

MAXQDA 2007

System requirements

MAXQDA supports all individuals who perform qualitative data analysis and helps to systematically evaluate and interpret texts. It is also a powerful tool for developing theories as well as testing the theoretical conclusions of the analysis. It is used in a wide range of academic and non-academic disciplines, for instance Sociology, Political Science, Psychology, Public Health, Anthropology, Education, Marketing, Economics and Urban Planning.

Read more about the History of MAXQDA.

See more screenshots

The clearly structured main screen of MAXQDA is divided into four main windows which reflect essential management work areas in the process of qualitative data analysis:

• The complete data set (“Text groups” window),
• The code- or category system (“Code system” window),
• The single text, always directly accessible (“Text Browser” window) and finally,
• Performing basic and complex searches, theoretical concept verification (“Retrieved Segments” window).

All essential management functions are directly embedded in each respective window. Further functions and short cuts are accessible via the upper menu bar. The fully integrated add-on module for analysis of vocabulary and content, MAXDictio, as well as the visual tool MAXMaps are also available in this menu.

MAXQDA distinguishes itself from other text analysis tools through its high efficiency and stability, its elaborate functionality and user friendliness. The program’s simplicity does not, however, imply a lack of sophistication: MAXQDA rather proves that high technical standard and power can be combined with simple and intuitive use. This strength is in large part due to the following characteristics:

• clear and neat structure of the program,
• extensive and differentiated functions combined with a unique and highly advanced visualization available for the processes of coding, memo-writing and browsing,
• seamless integration into the world of MS Office and MS Internet Explorer.

Overview of pivotal functions:

• MAXQDA allows work with manuscripts in rich text format (.rtf). Texts can be created and edited at any time and can be imported in rich text format (no need for pre-formatting).
• Import texts from the Internet using “drag-and-drop”
• Create groups and organize textual material
• For specific interpretations, temporary analysis text sets can be built
• Create a hierarchical code (category) system with up to ten levels
• Select and code text segments and assign codes or sub-codes from the code system
• Define text units while coding
• Attach a weight score to text segments indicating its relevance to the research
• Select words or terms in the manuscript and insert them automatically into the code system (”in-vivo-coding”)
• Search for words and strings or combinations of words and strings in the text or its subgroups
• Display search results as “keywords in context”
• Automatically code search results
• Keep track of ideas and hypotheses by writing memos
• Work with memos using the elaborated MAXQDA Memo Manager and search through them with the MAXQDA lexical search tool
• Attach special icons to the different types of memos (”theory memos”, “methodological memos” etc.)
• Print texts with codings on the edge of the text
• link a memo to as many codes as you want to relate it to.
• Define quantitative variables and use them in combination with texts and code words
• Export the table of variables to statistical programs or Excel
• Import a table of variables from Excel or SPSS
• Pre-code text segments, for example for the analysis of open-ended questions in questionnaires
• Work together in teams and use special teamwork functions
• Create a backup of a whole project or study and send it to colleagues via the Internet
• Merge projects, for instance in qualitative panel analysis
• Use a set of ten strongly improved and illustrated analytical functions for text retrieval (”near”, “surrounded by”, “followed by”, “at least” etc.)
• Get support from a detailed online handbook
• Different coders can use one project, codings can be faded out
• The Code Matrix and Code Relation Browser create an overview of the coding distribution and show overlaps: Both allow direct access to the corresponding text segments.
• Put text segments and memos back into context: Assigned memos and text segments can be shown in their original context at any time.

System requirements:

Processor: Pentium III or better (minimum: 700 MHz)
Operating System: Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista
Available RAM: 512 MB (minimum)
Monitor: Recommend 1024×768 resolution or higher
Install from: Download or CD ROM

Copyright © 2007, MAXQDA - Distrubution by Verbi GmbH. All Rights Reserved, VERBI Software – Consult – Sozialforschung.
Legal info | Privacy Statement | Terms & Conditions

• German |