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The Retrieved Segments Window in MAXQDA Video Tutorial

  • Transcript

    Within our MAXQDA project, we can use the code strips to see where specific codes have been applied to our documents. But how to view all the coded segments related to a topic at once? It’s really easy with the retrieved segments window. First, I’ll activate some documents in the Documents window and then activate some codes in the codes window. The Retrieved Segments window will then populate with all the segments from the selected documents that have been coded with the activated codes. These segments are organized by the documents they appear in. By default, the favorite variables for each document are also displayed here. Through the settings, I can also sort the retrieved segments by code or by the weighting of the coded segments. If comments have been added to individual segments, they will appear in the right hand sidebar and with a double click I can now edit those comments directly. And with this button, I can have the coded segments summarized by AI Assist. You can toggle the comment sidebar on and off using the speech bubble icon. If I click on the code stripe to the left of a coded segment, the document browser will automatically jump to the original location of that segment. Within the document, I can adjust the length of the coded segment using the grabbers. I can also move the coding by dragging the coded segment onto a different code in the codes window. Right clicking on the code stripe allows me to delete the coded segment. Double clicking a code in the code window also opens an interactive table, listing all the coded segments associated with that code. Now, if we’re interested in more complex relationships, for example, thematic overlaps expressed by the intersection of codes in our material, we can visualize these connections using the Complex Coding Query. You’ll find the Complex Coding Query in the analysis tab. I can now drag the codes that I want to investigate into this window. Furthermore, I can select whether I’m interested in the intersection of codes, overlaps, or the proximity of codes to each other, to name just a few options. This will then show me, for example, all the places where the codes “Friends and Family” and “Childcare” overlap in the material. The search can be reset using the corresponding button in the Retrieved Segments window. The analysis tab also offers further possibilities for evaluating coded text passages. For example, with the Compare Cases and Groups function, we can perform cooperative analysis of cases and groups, and the results will then be displayed in an interactive segment matrix.

Summary

In this comprehensive tutorial, we explore how to efficiently retrieve and analyze coded data within MAXQDA. While coding stripes visually indicate where codes are applied, the "List of Coded Segments" is the primary tool for viewing all relevant data for a specific theme at once. To begin, simply activate the desired documents and codes; MAXQDA instantly populates the list with every segment matching your criteria, organized by document. This view also displays document variables by default and allows for flexible sorting by code or segment weighting.

The interface offers deep interaction with your data. If you have attached comments to segments, they appear in the right sidebar, where you can edit them via double-click. Clicking a coding stripe or a segment reference automatically jumps the Document Browser to the original source, allowing for immediate context verification. You can also adjust segment boundaries using grabbers, move codes by dragging segments to new categories, or delete segments via the context menu. Additionally, double-clicking any code in the Code List opens an interactive table dedicated to that specific code, providing a focused view of all associated data.

For researchers investigating complex relationships, MAXQDA offers the powerful "Complex Coding Query" found in the Analysis tab. This tool allows you to drag specific codes into the search window to identify thematic intersections, overlaps, or the proximity of different codes within your material. For instance, you can instantly locate every instance where the codes "Friends and Family" and "Childcare" overlap. Beyond simple intersections, the Analysis tab includes the "Compare Cases and Groups" function, which facilitates comparative analysis by displaying results in an interactive segment matrix. These features ensure that MAXQDA provides the necessary depth for sophisticated qualitative analysis. Whether you are reviewing simple code frequencies or exploring intricate thematic connections, these tools streamline your workflow. We wish you great success in uncovering meaningful insights with MAXQDA.

Credits: MAXQDA

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