Aquad

Aquad (an abbreviation of Analysis of Qualitative Data) is open source computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS). It supports analysis of text, audio, video, and graphical data.^[1][2]

Features

Aquad provides functions for content analysis, including:

• Text search: looking for segments in texts
• Classifying: labeling text, audio, image, and videos data
• Writing memos (annotation): inserting annotations linked to parts or whole texts, audios, photos, or videos
• Word analysis: counting words according to criteria
• Retrieval by file name, code, keyword, or content: Retrieval of segments according to criteria
• Tabular analysis: constructing tables combining criteria and arranging data in rows and columns
• Construction of linkage hypotheses: looking for relationships across data
• Comparison of cases/files: contrasting coding across files
• Sequential analysis: objective hermeneutics
• Comparison of cases by Boolean analysis: critical features and identification of "types" as introduced by Charles Ragin.
• Export data: quantitative software as R, SPSS, and PSPP for statistical analysis.

Data context

Data can be directly analyzed on the screen (one-step) or outside (two-steps). One-step allows on-screen coding with digitized data. Two-steps allows the user to enter codes on the screen, keeping the documents on the desk or in other means such as cameras, TVs, etc. For instance, two-steps allows the analysis of recordings, diaries, incunabula, or objects without transcribing, taking photos, or scanning them.^[3][4]

Comparison of cases/files by Boolean analysis

Aquad allows comparison of cases/files by "logical minimization", by using its own algorithm and the R package qualitative comparative analysis to determine implicants .^[5]

Versions

The latest available version is Aquad 8, which is available in German, English, and Spanish. Version 7 is also available for download.^[1]

See also

• Case study
• Qualitative economics
• Qualitative marketing research
• Qualitative psychological research
• Qualitative research

References

• Huber, G. L. & Gürtler, L. (2013) AQUAD 7. Manual: The Analysis of Qualitative data. Tübingen: Ingeborg Huber Verlag. Download Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
• Ragin, C. C. (1989) The Comparative Method: Moving Beyond Qualitative and Quantitative Strategies. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press. Google Books

External links

• Official website
• Official manual Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
• Spanish Association for the Advance of Qualitative Research (2018). AQUAD 7: programa análisis de datos de acceso abierto. Asociación Española para el Avance de la Investigación Cualitativa.
• Feliz Murias, T. (2012). Análisis de contenido de la comunicación asíncrona en la formación universitaria Archived 2012-06-20 at the Wayback Machine (Content analysis of asynchronous communication in the university training).Revista de Educación, 358, Mayo-agosto 2012, pp. 282-309.
• Gil Flores, J. (Director) (2007). El tratamiento de datos en investigación cualitativa con AQUAD^{[permanent dead link]} (Data processing in qualitative research). Universidad de Sevilla.
• López Regalado, O. (2008). Tutorial of Aquad 6.
• Ricoy Lorenzo, M.C., Sevillano García, M.L. & Feliz Murias, T. (2011). Competencias necesarias para la utilización de las principales herramientas de Internet en la educación (Competences Needed to Use the Main Internet Tools in Education). Revista de Educación, 356. Septiembre-diciembre 2011, pp. 483-507.