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Introduction to NVivo

Overview of basic mechanics of using NVivo to organize and analyze qualitative data.

Import Files

  • All import options are displayed under the Import tab of the toolbar at the top. 
  • Standalone files are imported under the Files option (fourth from left).  This tool accepts a wide variety of document types, including documents and spreadsheets, audiovisual materials, and images.
  • Most of the other import tools includes wizards that allow for automatic data processing.  For example, the Classification Sheet tool will allow for identification of attributes to be defined for each case.
  • Once imported, documents can be organized into subfolders (see left side), viewed, and be further classified (see classification and colors on the right).
  • In this view, files located in the Interviews subfolder are listed along with some attributes of each file.

View Files

  • Double click a file to see the contents of the file.
  • Note: a new tab will have been added to the toolbar at the top.  Depending on the file type, the title will vary, but this provides the various ways to interact with the file.
  • Coding words or sentences is one common activity as is creating new annotations, but there is a variety of tools.
  • For PDFs that do not contain selectable words or for images, you will be able to draw a box around a section of the document.  When you code in this manner, a query will display an image of the section.
  • Each type of document will contain document-specific tools to facilitate coding.  For example, video files will allow for selection and display of snippets of the entire recording.

Create Externals

  • Externals stand in for documents that either cannot be imported or were not available in an importable format.  Common items includes books or other physical material or contemporaneous notes taken of an event or presentation.
  • Unlike files that were imported above, externals are created directly in NVivo.
  • Many files can be edited in NVivo, but this should be avoided.  But, edits are okay for externals where the represented item (a book, for example), is available and can be accessed.
  • Externals can contain any text or imagery desired.  In this example, a summary of the content of each slide is presented.
  • Like other files, externals can also be coded.