Qualitative Archiving and Data Sharing Scheme

(QUADS) www.quads.esds.ac.uk

Cardiff School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University

Methodological issues in qualitative data sharing and archiving (MIQDAS)

What we are doing?The ProjectMIQDAS has been exploring the methodological implications of archiving, distributing and sharing multimedia qualitative data sets. The project has been working with an existing multimedia data set in order to consider the interface between data sharing, research design and methodological decision making. Data generated and stored in a variety of media present particular challenges for effective, integrated and ethical archiving and potential reuse. The project has thus been able to build up a picture of the challenges, tasks and dilemmas involved in developing complex and contextualised qualitative data environments. We have also explored the difficulties confronting researchers wishing to ‘archive’ methodological information and frameworks along with their datasets. The volume, particularity and complexity of this information enhances the need to consider web-based and digital platforms for archiving and data sharing.

Bruce Mason Bella Dicks Amanda Coffey Matthew Williams

The main work of the project has revolved around two interrelated sets of activity.

• The development of an Online Guide to facilitate preparing complex qualitative data sets for reuse.

This guide is intended as a resource for qualitative researchers and focuses on the implications for data re-use of the methodological decisions we make when assembling a dataset that will eventually be archived and/or shared. The Online Guide provides guidelines, supporting information and exemplars to assist researchers in making their qualitative data, designs and methodological decisions available for re-use and archiving.

• The development of a hypertextual Methodological Trail to illustrate the ways in which research design and methodological context can be included in preparing data for reuse.

The trail is intended to provide exemplars for the Online Guide, and to provide a real example of how methodological decision making might be incorporated into practices for archiving and sharing qualitative data.

Qualitative Archiving and Data Sharing Scheme

(QUADS)

OutputsThe project has considered the ways in which methodological contexts can inform the preparation of qualitative data for reuse. The project outputs will be concerned with addressing the following issues

• The ethical dimensions of preparing multimedia qualitative data sets for reuse• The provision of contextual information to enable appropriate reuse of qualitative data sets• The challenges of archiving data generated and stored in a variety of media• The possibilities challenges of including analyses and interpretations as part of the archived material.

Outputs will include:

• Online Guide to preparing qualitative data, designs and methodological decisions for re-use and archiving • An exemplar designed to illustrate how methodological contexts can be incorporated into qualitative data archiving in the form of a methodological trail

How to access materialsFor further information on the project and access to

our materials visitwww.cardiff.ac.uk/socsi/hyper/QUADS

and follow the links.

Team contactDr Bella Dicks, Cardiff School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, Glamorgan

Building, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3WT. Telephone +44(0)2920875231; Email

DicksB@cardiff.ac.uk