Group Discussion Results
Interpretive Technology Project
Step 1: Transcribe the Tapes
The first step of analyzing the group discussion data was to listen to each tape and type every comment that pertained to the study. These transcripts will not be posted online to protect the identity of individual participants. The written transcripts facilitate the next step.
Step 2: Coding the Transcripts
The second step involves moving the various comments and suggestions from all focus groups into broader categories. This gives the researcher a visual idea of the participant response pattern. It provides evidence for the importance of a specific category (the more comments and responses, the more strongly participants felt), and the range of different responses. The coded transcripts for the PowerPoint and Interpretive Lab discussions are located below.
PowerPoint Tutorial Coded Group Discussion
Interpretive Technology Lab Coded Group Discussion
Some responses initially were not given a code (they are at the end of each document), but may be included with future analysis.
Step 3: The Interpretive Report
The final step in the analysis of the group discussions is the creation of an easy-to-understand report. The data are summarized into general statements that represent the feelings and attitudes of the participants. These statements are proven with a few specific comments from the focus groups. The data will be interpreted and compiled into a list of recommendations that instructors can use when incorporating technology into the interpretive courses in the future.
If you have any questions or comments about the group discussion results, let me know. Thank you to all the participants that helped make this project a success.
Jim Buchholz