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Frequency Tables and Charts for Variables

MAXQDA lets you create frequency tables and corresponding charts for document variables, code variables and focus group speaker variables. You can open this function from the ribbon menu:

  • Variables > Document Variable Statistics
  • Variables > Code Variable Statistics
  • Variables > Speaker Variable Statistics
Variable Statistics options

After you click on one of the variable statistics options a split “Choice of Variables” window is displayed below: Exisiting variables are listed on the left side; already selected variables are moved to the right. The arrow buttons in the middle allow you to transfer variables from one window to the other. You can also do this by double clicking on the variable name.

Please note: To select multiple variables, hold down the Shift, Ctrl (Windows) or cmd (Mac) key.
Statistics and Graphics: Choose Variables
Please note: System variables that are created and managed by MAXQDA are marked in red; codes that have been transformed into variables are marked in green.

Both lists can be alphabetized by clicking on the column headers. By selecting Only activated documents you can limit the analysis to currently activated documents, for example the transcripts of selected interviewees. The corresponding option Only activated codes is also available for code variables.

Tip: The statistics functions for variables can also be accessed directly with the  icon in the „List of document variables“ and „List of code variables“. MAXQDA then begins the statistical analysis for the selected variables, taking all documents, codes, and speaker into account that are visible in the data editor.

When you click OK MAXQDA will begin the statistical evaluation and display the results as frequency tables and charts.

The results window displays the results of the first selection of variables in a table. The “Frequency” column shows how many of the analyzed documents contain the variable value in question.

Frequency Table
Tip: Click on the column headers of the first two columns in order to modify the order of the table rows. For example, you can sort the frequency of categories in ascending or descending order.

The first column lists the various categories of the variable; the second column lists the absolute frequency; and the third lists the corresponding percentages. The fourth column shows percentages based on valid values, meaning missing values are excluded. If there are no missing values among the variables in question, the percentages of the third and fourth columns will be identical.

You can customize the order of the rows within the table by clicking on the column header of the first and second columns. For example, you can sort the table in ascending or descending order in regards to categorical frequency.

Toolbar functions

The results window has a toolbar at the top. From here you can:

  • Open the chart view by clicking the  button
  • Flip forwards  or backwards , between variables
  • Print results, or
  • Export results as an Excel file

Charts

When you switch to the chart view with the  button, a bar chart of the variables in question appears in the place of the table view.

Horizontal bar chart of the document variable “Age”
Note: The order of chart segments is determined by the order of the rows in the table, and can be modified accordingly.

You will see two toolbars at the top of this window. The upper toolbar is the same as the frequency table, and you can switch at any time to the table view. On the right side of the toolbar you will see three buttons, with which you can choose between pie chart, horizontal and vertical bar chart. The chart can be customized using the options in the lower toolbar

Display labels – hide or show categorical labels of bar and pie charts on the x-axis.

Display data values – hide or show the data label, meaning frequency of variable values or subcodes.

Display percentages – show relative, rather than absolute frequencies.

Display missing values – hide or show missing values category.

Display legend – hide or show the legend, which is switched “off” by default in bar charts.

Display scale – hide or show the scale axis in bar charts.

Display title – hide or show diagram title.

Display text – hide or show textual description of diagram.

Change color scheme – opens window for color scheme selection.

Save current design as default – saves the current design and automatically applies this design to new diagrams.

Apply style to all diagrams – applies the current style to all diagrams.

Customizing chart captions, colors and font sizes

When creating charts, MAXQDA sets an initial color scheme. To customize your charts, double-click on the selected segment and choose your desired color. Click on the Change color scheme  button to select a color scheme.

Double-click on the title or description to customize content.

Formatting, such as font, font size and font style, can be changed via the dialog window that appears when you double-click on the title, description or another label.

Modify color and font size in charts

Printing and export charts

Like frequency tables, charts can be printed and exported. Charts will be exported in PNG format, or as vector graphics in SVG format.

Missing values in frequency tables and charts

MAXQDA will treat the following as missing variable values:

  • For numerical and text variables, values set as “Missing values” in the “List of variables” will be treated as missing.
  • For text variables, blank fields will also be treated as missing.

Descriptive statistics

When evaluating numerical variables the Descriptive statistics  symbol is appears in the top toolbar. Clicking on the icon produces an output of the usual parameters such including mean value and variance.

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