B0098 - Data Mining and Qualitative Research Software

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student: knows the main techniques of data mining and qualitative analysis with CAQDA (Computer AssistedQualitative Data Analysis Software) tools; knows the software NVivo's main features regarding the text, content analysis and social media resources.

Course contents

The course introduces computer-assisted qualitative research, focusing on the CAQDAS family of software (Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software) and in particular on NVivo 15 (Lumivero), one of the most widely used and complete tools for qualitative data analysis.

After an introductory part on the theoretical foundations of qualitative research, the distinction between qualitative and quantitative approaches, and the main methodological tools, the course adopts a hands-on, lab-based approach to learning the software's features.

All the fundamental steps are addressed operationally:

• importing and organizing data (textual, visual, audio and video, including web sources via the NCapture extension for Chrome);

• coding and codebook development;

• thematic analysis, queries, and visualization of results;

• good practices for presenting results and writing the research report.

A dedicated module covers AI-assisted qualitative analysis: the Lumivero AI Assistant integrated in NVivo 15 (automatic summarization, code suggestions), the landscape of competing tools (MAXQDA AI Assist, ATLAS.ti AI Coding) and, above all, a critical reflection on the potential, limits, methodological transparency, and ethics of using generative models in social research, including data protection implications (GDPR).

The course ends with a final practical exercise: a small qualitative analysis project on data collected independently or provided by the lecturer, with the production of a structured report.

Readings/Bibliography

During the course, students will be provided with practical handouts and online multimedia resources, selected according to their digital skills. Specifically, the following materials will be used:

• Getting Started with NVivo — Lumivero
• NVivo Tutorials — Lumivero
  
• Introduction to NVivo 14/15 — University of Toronto Libraries
• NVivo Guide — Simon Fraser University Library
• Qualitative Data Analysis with NVivo — SAGE (PDF)
• CAQDAS Networking Project — University of Surrey
• Thematic analysis with NVivo and Lumivero AI Assistant — Lumivero 

Teaching methods

The course is held in person at the SDE Multimedia Laboratory in an active lab format.

Each class is divided into two parts:

• an introductory part, illustrating the software's main features through guided examples and step-by-step explanations;

• an applied part, in which students independently practice what they have learned, through exercises provided by the lecturer or by simulating a real qualitative research project.

Lectures provide the tools to understand and manage the phases of data collection, processing, and analysis; practical activities consolidate these skills in a simulated but realistic context.

Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD) may contact the University services and the instructor to arrange the support and adjustments they are entitled to. The critical and informed use of Artificial Intelligence tools is encouraged during the course as a support for study, brainstorming, and language revision, with mandatory disclosure; their use is not permitted during exams.

Assessment methods

The final test takes place during the last class of the course and consists of a research project simulation: a series of practical exercises, already covered during the classes, to be completed using NVivo.

The aim is to assess students' autonomy in using the software's main features and their ability to apply them to the analysis of digital sources. Assessment also considers the ability to transparently document methodological choices, including any use of AI features.

Teaching tools

The course takes place in person at the SDE Multimedia Laboratory, where every workstation has NVivo already installed: no technical requirements are needed to participate.

Students who wish to practice outside class hours may also install a free trial version of NVivo 15 on their own devices (download from the Lumivero website), following the lecturer's instructions. All NVivo 15 licenses include a free tier of access to the Lumivero AI Assistant.

All teaching materials (handouts, exercises, additional resources) are available on the University of Bologna's Virtuale platform.

Office hours

See the website of Piergiorgio Degli Esposti