Presenter:
Jennifer Jewiss, EdD
Description:
Evaluators who use interviews, open-ended survey questions, and
other avenues for gathering qualitative data often generate lots of rich,
messy, textual material. Once the qualitative dataset is assembled, the next
phase of the adventure begins as we strive to make sense of the data and
produce the most meaningful findings. This eStudy introduces participants to
coding and thematic analysis, two foundational strategies for working with
qualitative data. The workshop features hands-on, skill-building opportunities
and presents a set of guiding questions that evaluators can use to focus analyses
and consider essential ethical issues such as positionality and cultural competence.
Real-world examples and group discussions enable participants to explore how
these techniques have been applied in various evaluations. A carefully curated
resource list is provided to support participants’ future learning and analytic
endeavors.
Learning Outcomes:
Participants will learn:
- Strategies for developing a codebook and coding textual data
- Techniques for identifying themes that address common types of evaluation questions
- A set of guiding questions that can help focus analyses and consider essential ethical issues such as positionality and cultural competence
- How analysis is situated within an overarching model for ensuring the quality of qualitative evaluations
- Where to turn for additional resources to inform further learning and future analytic efforts
This workshop is aligned to AEA’s Competencies and Guiding Principals as follows:
This eStudy addresses several Evaluator Competencies (EC) and Guiding Principles (GP). The workshop is designed to enhance participants’ ability to conduct systematic, thorough, data-based inquiries (GP A). In order to use “systematic evidence to make evaluative judgments” (EC 1.4), one must have the technical knowledge and skills to analyze the assembled data in an effective and appropriate manner. This eStudy focuses on coding and thematic analysis, foundational techniques for conducting “credible” and “feasible” analyses (EC 2.11). In addition, this workshop honors longstanding methodological and ethical imperatives for those employing qualitative approaches to examine the personal and professional perspectives they bring to the evaluation effort; assessing one’s “privilege and positioning” (GP E5) in this manner is essential for minimizing bias.
Who Should Attend?
Practicing evaluators and graduate students who are new to qualitative data analysis stand to benefit from this workshop. This eStudy offers a practical introduction for those who are beginning to learn about qualitative data analysis or seeking a basic refresher course focusing on foundational knowledge and skills.
Facilitator Experience:
Dr. Jennifer Jewiss has spent much of the past 20 years conducting qualitative evaluations for national, state, and local entities including government and not-for-profit organizations. She enjoys working across a wide array of disciplines and has evaluated health, human service, education, leadership development, and environmental stewardship initiatives. Dr. Jewiss previously co-chaired AEA’s Qualitative Methods Topical Interest Group and co-edited a book entitled, Qualitative Inquiry in Evaluation: From Theory to Practice (Goodyear, Jewiss, Usinger, & Barela, 2014). Jennifer’s teaching is energized by her passion for qualitative inquiry and curiosity about the broad range of evaluation interests learners bring to professional development workshops.
Dates:
May 18, 2021 12:00 – 1:30 (ET)
May 20, 2021 12:00 – 1:30 (ET)
May 25, 2021 12:00 – 1:30 (ET)
May 27, 2021 12:00 – 1:30 (ET)
Note:
Once you purchase the eStudy you must register for each session. Recordings will be made available to registrants unable to attend sessions live. Recordings will be made available to all registrants for 90 days.