Category: Data Visualization

The Logics & Logistics of Qualitative Research with NVivo

The Logics and Logistics of Qualitative Research: A Framework for Exploring Concepts, Dimensions, and Relationships in Qualitative Data using NVivo Research Software

Dr. Ralph LaRossa and Dr. Mandy Swygart-HobaughWorkshop Leaders: Dr. Ralph LaRossa and Dr. Mandy Swygart-Hobaugh

When: Wednesday, March 11, 11:00am-12:30pm – REGISTER HERE

Where: CURVE (Collaborative University Research & Visualization Environment), Library South 2nd Floor

In this workshop, Dr. Ralph LaRossa, Professor Emeritus of Sociology, and Dr. Mandy Swygart-Hobaugh, Librarian Associate Professor for Sociology, Gerontology, & Data Services, will present both the theoretical-methodological “logics” and the applied-methodological “logistics” of conducting qualitative data analysis (i.e., non-statistical analysis of textual, audio, visual, and/or audiovisual sources).  Dr. LaRossa will discuss the steps involved in building theoretically-rich qualitative analyses.   Dr. Swygart-Hobaugh will outline the specific features of NVivo qualitative research software that complement and facilitate these analyses.   There also will be opportunities for questions and discussion.

This workshop will be especially helpful for faculty and graduate students who are immersed – or about to be immersed – in a qualitative project and would like an overview on how to do qualitative analysis and how to use NVivo in the process.  Those interested in publishing qualitative work and/or applying for grants based on qualitative work will also find it helpful.

Questions?  Email Mandy Swygart-Hobaugh at aswygarthobaugh@gsu.edu

Visualizing Human Origins on the interactWall

CURVE’s visualization technology is helping researchers take a closer look at our origins. In an effort to understand “local climate dynamics relevant to the time periods and the regions where human evolutionary change took place” researchers are studying core samples taken from East Africa. (human origins drilling project) These core samples are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s Human Origins Program. Dr. Dan Deocampo, Human Origins Program research team member and GSU Department of Geosciences Chair uses Corelyzer on the CURVE interactWall to analyze core samples.

Dr. Deocampo analyzing the Smithsonian Institution’s Olorgesailie core on CURVE’s interactWall

Commenting on CURVE’s visualization system, Deocampo notes, “This technology allows us to closely examine the sediment in detail while keeping the larger context – we’re literally looking through a window at the earth’s history millions of years ago. This is helping us understand how changing climate affects the environment, ecosystems, and organisms in Africa and around the globe.”

With funding from the Smithsonian Institution Human Origins Program and the National Science Foundation, Dr. Deocampo’s GSU lab is responsible for mineral analysis using X-ray diffraction techniques for 5 of the 7 core sites – The Afar / Northern Awash (Ethiopia), Lake Turkana (Kenya), Lake Baringo/Tugen Hills (Kenya), Lake Magadi (Kenya), and Olorgesailie (Kenya).

Drilling rig at Lake Magadi, Kenya, in summer, 2014 and NSF's National Lacustrine Core Facility at the University of Minnesota – Dr. Deocampo, Dr. Tim Lowenstein, and Dr. Jiuyi Wang
Drilling rig at Lake Magadi, Kenya, in summer, 2014 and NSF’s National Lacustrine Core Facility at the University of Minnesota – Dr. Deocampo, Dr. Tim Lowenstein, and Dr. Jiuyi Wang
Dr. Deocampo analyzing the AFAR core on CURVE’s interactWall

Learn more about the Smithsonian’s Human Origins Program and the Hominin Sites and Paleolakes Drilling Project (HSPDP).