Introduction to NVivo

online course

Discover NVivo and learn to manage, code, and analyse qualitative data for academic research, public policy, and non-profit organisations in this introductory course.

Need to know

Although no previous knowledge of NVivo is required, you should have some familiarity with qualitative research.

This course is for NVivo R1 for Windows and Mac. You must run the latest version of NVivo R1 to attend the course since earlier versions (10 or 12) have different interfaces. If your institution does not provide you with an NVivo R1 license, you can download the NVivo R1 14-day free trial. The trial is fully operational but can't be reinstalled on the same computer once expired.

Mac users: NVivo R1 for Mac does not currently have all the features of NVivo for Windows. If you want to learn all the features taught on this course, you must attend using a PC.

In depth

This course is designed for researchers who plan to use NVivo to manage, code, and analyse qualitative data in the context of academic research, public policy and not-for-profit applied research.

You will learn the added value of using qualitative software to manage large amounts of data efficiently, triangulate different data sources seamlessly, improve the auditability of your research and conduct your analysis in a rigorous and transparent manner.

The course is structured around four modules that follow the logical sequence of a qualitative journey. You will learn to:

• import and organise a qualitative dataset in NVivo;
• manage your literature review;
• autocode structured data and code data inductively;
• work with cases and variables;
• seek patterns and identify relationships across themes and cases;
• present findings using visualisations;
• coordinate teamwork;
• report the analysis process in theses or articles.

This provides perfect preparation for Advanced Qualitative Data Analysis in week one or in week two.

It is entirely hands-on and uses sample data to learn NVivo’s functionalities. Outside live sessions, you will be able to work on your own data, or articles of your literature review if you have not yet collected data. With help from the Teaching Assistant, you will be able to troubleshoot any problems you might have with regard to your analysis in NVivo.

How the course will work online

The course combines asynchronous pre-class assignments, such as readings and watching pre-recorded videos, as well as daily two-hour live sessions with Zoom. To prevent Zoom fatigue and boredom, the course pedagogy includes small-group work, short, focused tasks and troubleshooting exercises using a range of online apps that support collective work and engagement with the course content.

Course leader

Marie-Hélène Paré teaches qualitative research methods at the Open University of Catalonia (UOC). Her interests range from advances in qualitative data analysis, qualitative evidence synthesis, decolonising epistemology and participatory methodologies.

Target group

Advanced students, researchers, and professional analysts.

Course aim

This course teaches the basic and advanced features of NVivo for qualitative data analysis. You will learn to:

• set up an NVivo project;
• organise a qualitative dataset;
• manage your literature review;
• autocode data and code data inductively;
• seek patterns and identify relationships across themes and cases; and
• present qualitative findings using visualisations.

Important information: You will not learn how to use NVivo for specific qualitative methodologies or analytical methods, such as thematic analysis, content analysis, grounded theory, etc. For that, you need Advanced Qualitative Data Analysis.

Credits info

4 EC
You can earn up to four credits for attending this course.
3 ECTS credits – Attend 100% of live sessions and engage fully with class activities.
4 ECTS credits – Attend 100% of live sessions, engage fully with class activities and complete a post-class assignment.

Fee info

GBP 478: ECPR Member
GBP 956: ECPR Non-Member

Scholarships

Funding applications for the 2023 ECPR Summer School in Research Methods and Techniques are now closed.
For more details on funding opportunities for ECPR's other events, please visit our website.