Exchange projects between software programs: REFI-QDA
The REFI-QDA standard, which audiotranskription has helped to develop in recent years, enables the exchange of project data from qualitative research projects between QDA programs such as f4analyse, Atlas.ti, MAXQDA, Nvivo, Quirkos and others. It is an open format that has already been implemented by many other QDA software programs.
f4analyse exports and imports the following as a “project”
– All texts (without formatting and media assignment)
– All codes and code colors
– All memos and comments
– All coding (except the coding within their self-written memos or comments)
– All groups and group comments
To put it simply: So far, everything has been exported except a) text formatting and b) coding within memos or comments.
When importing, everything is imported that f4analyse can map due to its functionality. The typical exchange format is called *.qdpx
f4analyse exports and imports the following as a “codebook”
When exporting as a codebook, only the code system is exported or imported. The code names, code colors and code comments as well as the hierarchical structure are transferred or adopted. The typical exchange format is called *.qdc
Please note!
Despite the uniform REFI-QDA standard, not all QDA software manufacturers have proceeded in the same way during implementation. In addition, not all QDA programs support the same functions. So far, no other QDA program apart from f4analyse provides for coding within memos. Therefore, these codes cannot be displayed in other programs. Otherwise, f4analyse does not support variables, for example, and therefore this information will not be imported.
Therefore, please always check and compare the different functions of the software when exchanging, as the exchange may result in a loss of information despite the common format.
