Qualitative Data Analysis Software (nVivo, Atlas.TI, and more)
Overview and resource links for Qualitative Data Analysis Software (QDAS), uses and how to choose, focusing on QDAS supported by JHU Data Services: nVivo and Atlas.TI, with resource and training links to these and other QDA Software
For direct assistance
Contact us, JHU Data Services for assistance with access to nVivo and ATLAS.ti at the Data Services offices on A level, JHU Eisenhower Library.
Visit our website for more info and our upcoming training workshops!
Other QDA Software
- Software Comparisons: Commercial & Free. (George Mason University)Lists of flagship software, free software, and tools for converting codebooks among QDA software.
- QDA Software Comparison Chart (NYU Libraries)Comparison chart of QDA software from NYU Library's LibGuide
- Top 5 Software for Analyzing Qualitative DataGuide with descriptive summaries of the main QDA software.
- Dueling CAQDAS using ATLAS.ti and NVivoWebinar comparing features and use of Atlas.TI and NVIvo for qualitative data analysis. Includes live demos.
Decision factors for your research
- Methods to feature facilitation (in disciplinary context): How many features directly support your methodology?
- Interface for collection, analysis, reports: Do features accommodate most phases of your research workflow?
- Visualization and outputs: Does it produce and successfully export needed visualization without extensive modification?
- Cost and access to software: Is it worth the investment cost as well as in learning to use it? Look for education discounts.
Selected QDA software list
- Deedoosequalitative analysis software has been gaining popularity for university research. It is cloud based, with collaboration as a core platform feature. With a monthly per-user pricing, Dedoose can be relatively less expensive for research teams than nVivo and Atlas.TI collaboration products, especially for short-term projects. The security features are strong, and have been approved for certain Homewood projects. (Use for medical PHI's has not yet been evaluated by the IT Risk office). It may be missing some features in Atlas.TI and nVivo, but has many of the core QDAS features including audio and video and mixed methods with visualization.
- MaxQDAA feature-rich QDAS, perhaps stronger for content analysis methods. Visually appealing, although can look a bit cluttered. Student pricing is reasonable.
- TaguetteTaguette is a free open-source tool for QDA of text data. You can use the software on your own device, on your own server or on the server provider by Taguette that allows for real-time collaboration. (Note that their server may not be rated for restricted human participant data).
- QualCoderAlso a free open-source QDA built with Python. It facilitates text and video analysis for single users. It has fewer features than commercial products, but may be adequate for smaller projects.