Analyze qualitative data

Analyze Qualitative Data · Neuman Ch 14 Workflow

This skill guides users through systematic qualitative data analysis based on W. Lawrence Neuman, Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, 7e, Chapter 14 (p.477-512).

The chapter is decomposed into 11 prompts spanning three sub-domains: coding, memo writing, and analytic strategies.

When to invoke

Invoke this skill when the user:

• Has interview transcripts, field notes, historical documents, or text data
• Asks "how do I code these?" or "how do I find themes?"
• Wants thematic / narrative / domain / comparative analysis
• Is preparing Methods or Findings for a qualitative paper

Do not invoke for:

• Quantitative data (use analyze-quantitative-data instead)
• Pure transcription / formatting tasks (no analytic intent)
• Generating fictional content / interviews (this skill works on real data only)

The 11 prompts (Neuman Ch 14)

Block A · Coding (the spine — Strauss 1987 three stages)

#	Step	Prompt file	Neuman pages
1	Open coding (1st pass — initial themes emerge)	prompts/01-open-coding.md	481-482
2	Axial coding (2nd pass — connect codes, find core categories)	prompts/02-axial-coding.md	482-484
3	Selective coding (final pass — scan all data for theme support)	prompts/03-selective-coding.md	484

Block B · Continuous theory-building (parallel to coding)

#	Step	Prompt file	Neuman pages
4	Analytic memo writing	prompts/04-analytic-memo.md	485-486
5	Outcropping detection (surface → underlying structure)	prompts/05-outcropping.md	486-487

Block C · Seven analytic strategies (pick by data type and RQ)

#	Strategy	When to use	Prompt file
6	Ideal types (Weber)	Compare reality against pure model	prompts/06-ideal-types.md
7	Successive approximation	Iteratively refine concepts and data	prompts/07-successive-approximation.md
8	Illustrative method	Fill empty boxes of existing theory	prompts/08-illustrative-method.md
9	Domain analysis (Spradley)	Find culture's own classification system	prompts/09-domain-analysis.md
10	Analytic comparison (Mill's methods)	Multi-case causal factor identification	prompts/10-analytic-comparison-mill.md
11	Narrative analysis	Process / temporal / sequence data	prompts/11-narrative-analysis.md

How to use

Sequential mode (typical study)

Run 1 → 2 → 3 for coding (most studies need all three). Run 4 continuously while coding (memos generate theory). Pick one or two from Block C based on your RQ:

• Compare cultures / contexts → 6 (ideal types)
• Concepts still evolving → 7 (successive approximation)
• Theory-driven test → 8 (illustrative method)
• Folk classification → 9 (domain analysis)
• Multi-case causal → 10 (Mill's methods)
• Process / history → 11 (narrative analysis)

Quick mode (small-scale study)

For a thesis chapter or small qualitative study, 1 → 2 → 4 → 3 is often enough.

Comparative mode (multi-case)

For 3+ cases: 1 → 2 → 10 → 3 (or 11 if temporal).

Cross-cutting principles (apply at every step)

1. Codes must be grounded in data. Every code/theme must have a textual anchor. AI should never invent quotes or codes not derivable from input.

2. In-vivo terms preserve actor's voice. When using folk/mixed domains or open coding, retain original wording — don't paraphrase prematurely.

3. Theme naming demands specificity. Reject vague themes like "AI's impact". Push toward "intergenerational scissors of opportunity" or similar.

4. Saturation is judged, not assumed. Each step's prompt asks the user to evaluate whether more data is needed.

5. Iteration is normal. Successive approximation logic applies across all stages — moving back to earlier coding when later analysis reveals gaps.

6. AI inter-coder reliability ≠ human inter-coder reliability. Run prompts in fresh sessions to check stability, but real reliability requires a second human coder.

What this skill does NOT do

• Decide what's interesting — researcher's theoretical commitment leads
• Validate the research question — that's research design (earlier in course)
• Replace IRB ethics review — for human subjects data, separate review needed
• Substitute for methodological mentorship — the more interpretive the strategy (especially narrative, ideal types), the more value a domain consultant adds

Required outputs at each step

Every prompt enforces:

• Textual evidence for every code, theme, or analytic claim
• Saturation status at coding stage transitions
• Alternative explanations flagged (avoid single-frame tunnel vision)
• Negative cases / counter-evidence highlighted explicitly
• Researcher voice separated from actor voice in folk/mixed domains

Companion skill

For mixed-methods projects, see analyze-quantitative-data (Neuman Ch 12).