Data analysis

The considerable quantity of data was an advantage but also a challenge for analysis because of the risk of being overwhelmed by the mass of data for one researcher, including spending too much time in analysis for a three year PhD programme. An efficient exploration of the data required a systematic approach and an effective method of analysis.

There were slightly different approaches to analysing the three data sources. The documents were accessed in three phases. The first was familiarisation with the unknown data to gain an overview of the contents of the files and how to approach them. This involved a reading of about ten out of the 276 case files. The second phase consisted of methodically reading all the case files. It comprised careful and critical reading of the main documents of the files (police and prosecution reports, indictments, judgments) and a number of other most relevant documents such as complainant statements, some witness statements, medical reports or other manifestly essential material. During this phase, the issues relevant to the research questions were identified and recorded (discussed further below). The third phase involved deep and extensive exploration of specific files selected for use in the thesis.

The interviews and observations notes were approached as follows. A first reading was made for more familiarisation with the data already known. During this phase, possible coding of the data became clearer. On the second read through the data was coded (discussed further below).

At the beginning of data analysis, it was essential to organise the data in a way that would permanently ensure efficient and fast access to them during the whole process of analysis and writing up. To allow easy access throughout the process, two electronic folders capable of being instantly linked were created. The first comprised the data bank, which contained the raw data gathered from fieldwork including the interview notes, observation notes and judicial files.117 The second contained word documents with tables in which the information and excerpts extracted from the raw data were recorded.118 Each table contained all the information needed for analysis, including bibliographical or source references, excerpts, remarks, the codes, and crucially, a link to the data bank. This link was a reference number which identified each individual document or file consulted in the data bank. It was noted in the table next to the relevant information. The link facilitated the instant retrieval of the source of the information in the data bank. The codes recorded in the tables were also instantly accessible within different tables using the “find” tool in the word processor. Other essential information contained in the tables was also accessed in the same way. Further, it was easy to cross-check information from different sets in the tables. The two folders mentioned above were the main source of data for analysis. As the analysis progressed, other folders were created in order to record processed data in an orderly manner. This organisation considerably facilitated analysis.

The method used to analyse data from the different sets is qualitative. Specifically, I used thematic analysis to interpret the interview data. Thematic analysis is “a method for identifying, analysing and reporting patterns (themes) within data.”119 This method involves coding the data to reduce them into analytic categories.120 Using this approach, I identified within the data recurrent concepts, ideas and issues relevant to the research

117

I already had the court documents copied using an Ipad during the fieldwork. To facilitate quick access to all the data during analysis, I also copied the interview notes and observation notes and put them in the same electronic form of Ipad pictures.

118

I made individual tables for each data set: prosecution case files, court files, observations and interviews notes. The interview notes from each category of interviewees were recorded in distinctive tables.

119

Braun, V. and Clarke, V. (2006), “Using Thematic Analysis in Psychology”, Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3, p.79.

120

questions and coded them.121 The codes represented specific issues identified in the data, based on the theoretical framework. They were in the form of single words or a group of words and were noted in the tables previously mentioned. These codes were combined based on logical connection between them to make broader themes. With respect to the documents and observation notes, their content analysis was made in a similar way, by identifying basic themes in the materials.122 These themes were generally similar to the codes used regarding the interviews.123

Data analysis was guided by the theoretical framework chosen for the research and inspired by the broader literature, as noted in the introduction. The permanent concern during analysis was identification and understanding of issues relating to gender inequality and prejudices against rape victims. Informed by the broader literature on rape myths, I drew on this knowledge to identify in my data similar issues revealed in the literature. Based on the theoretical framework adopted, I went beyond the problems revealed in the literature and raised other concerns specific to the local context, which did not necessarily exist in other jurisdictions. This allowed me to reveal original findings that will contribute to the understanding of rape myths and legal processes beyond Western jurisdictions.