Research Tools 09 — NVivo: Analyse Words and Experiences

NVivo supports qualitative analysis: working with interviews, documents, and other non-numerical material. It can help engineering researchers study how people use a device or experience a new system.

Imagine interviewing users of a laboratory interface. Read each transcript carefully. Mark passages about themes such as “confusing labels” or “slow feedback.” These labels are called codes. Define each code so that your decisions remain consistent.

Compare passages across participants. Look for exceptions as well as repeated ideas. Keep notes explaining how your interpretation developed.

A frequently mentioned problem is not automatically the most serious problem. Context matters, and a small interview sample does not establish population percentages.

Remember: NVivo organises and explores evidence; the researcher remains responsible for interpretation. Obtain appropriate consent and protect participant information before importing or sharing data.