Data Analysis and Interpretation

To analyse the data generated in this study, the researcher turned to data analysis methods that provided a structured approach to the process. As mentioned previously(section 5.3.3), hermeneutic phenomenology methodology does not dictate any specific research method but rather lets the researcher decide the most appropriate methods according to unique nature and requirements of each project.

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Two related methods of qualitative data analysis were combined for use with the data generated for this study: thematic analysis and grounded theory. To utilize these methods it was necessary to transform data generated by the two collection methods into a workable text document format that enabled computer assisted analysis and interpretation. The written texts generated at level one were saved directly from the email attachment and converted to plain text documents.

To collate responses a computer assisted qualitative data analysis package was

utilised to facilitate thematic analysis through coding. WEFT QDA (Qualitative Data Analysis) (Fenton, 2006) program was chosen above others as it is an open source program available through a public domain licence, created to analyse textual data such as the interview transcriptions and written texts generated for this study.

Although there are other programs available that are used widely, this program suited the purposes of this study as it can be used in multiple locations, use not being

limited to a single computer or network. In a similar manner to other qualitative data analysis programs, WEFT QDA (Fenton, 2006) enables the researcher to assign categories to the data, to gather data under these categories or codes, to create further subcategories and to assign memos to the data. The search function also enables the gathering of data related to one word, employed in this study for in vivo coding. Importantly for this study also was the straightforward manner in which the software enabled the researcher to return regularly to a consideration of the complete original transcripts to maintain grounding in the data and a strong orientation to the

phenomenon, thus reflecting the utilisation of the hermeneutic spiral mentioned previously.

Using the WEFT QDA program (Fenton, 2006) also enabled the researcher to analyse the data generated in this study through a combination of analysis methods; thematic analysis and grounded theory. These methods have commonalities that enable them to be used jointly while they also provided a structure that was flexible yet gave a form to the data analysis process that was appropriate for the

constructivist approach taken in this study. Both forms of data collection were complementary in that respondents produced texts that were descriptive of their own personal experiences. The texts generated in protocol writing were concise whereas

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the data generated through the interviews were thicker and more expansive. Figure 5 (p.105) presents the data generation process in diagrammatic form.

Preliminary stages: Ethics approval and permission from the organization involved obtained to conduct the study.

Level One: Protocol Writing

Invitations to participate with information sheets, consent forms and guiding questions sent by a

third party to 250 people working with the WCHO.

Protocol Writing responses returned via email attachment directly to the researcher. 16

respondents. (17,692 words collected)

Level Two: Interviews

Invitations to participate extended by a third party to all students enrolled in a Bridging

English course.

18 respondents interviewed individually Interviews recorded directly using Audacity

software.

Interviews transcribed using voice recognition software.

(48,795 words collected)

Data converted to plain text and imported to WEFT QDA (Qualitative Data Analysis) for collation and categorisation (66,487 words total)

Figure 5. From data to texts: The data generation process summarised.

5.8 Conclusion

The process of data collection when read seems to be straightforward and obvious yet, in reality, it involves multiple small decisions and the development of skills to be able to undertake and achieve the results sought. There are a wide range of methods available to the researcher and at times the choices can become distracting. In this study the sample chosen and the philosophical foundations in hermeneutic

phenomenology assisted in clarifying the type of data gathering methods that were appropriate.

Conducting interviews and reading the written responses sent proved to be a very enriching time for the researcher as participants were very generous in sharing their

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time, experiences and their perceptions, the time spent together was on a different plane to that of the student/teacher relationship, echoing that described earlier by Freebody (2003) as cooperatively making sense of their experiences together. The depth of thought and level of reflection that they were able to communicate in English was, at times, astonishing and there were occasions when the researcher could barely conceal her excitement as participants shared the changes that they themselves had experienced as a result of the full experience of language learning in a new cultural context; changes in self that went far beyond the acquisition of language skills.

As a beginner researcher, the mass and the richness of the data generated were satisfying in their “raw” form, and a sense of responsibility to retain the integrity of the responses was felt. The challenge of data analysis and interpretation beckoned.

5.9 Summary

The research methodology utilised in this study has been outlined and the basis for the selection of the data collection methods adopted in preparation for data analysis explicated in this chapter. In this fifth chapter the following have been described and discussed:

 the study‟s basis in hermeneutic phenomenology;

 the consequences of this for the research methods chosen outlined;

 the manner in which text is regarded in this study; and

 an overview of the data analysis methods utilised in the study in preparation for the chapter that follows.

Having detailed the methods employed to gather data chapter six presents, in a separate chapter, details of the data analysis and interpretation methods utilized in general and explains the manner in which they were employed in this study in detail.

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Chapter Six