Paraphrasing and generalizing according to Mayring with f4analysis
The steps described by Philip Mayring in “Qualitative Content Analysis. Basics and techniques” describes three core elements:
Paraphrase – Generalize – Reduce
In his book, Mayring always presents the examples in tabular form. This suggests that he mainly used word processing programs such as Word when developing his method, rather than special software for qualitative data analysis (QDA). Tables in Word enable a clear and comprehensible presentation of the work steps. However, the question arises as to how this method can be applied in the f4analyse software, as it does not offer a comparable table structure. Below you will find some approaches on how paraphrasing, generalizing and reducing can be implemented in f4analyse.
Step 1: Determine the units of analysis
We determine the units of analysis in the text by selecting the relevant text passages with the mouse and clicking on the appropriate main code.
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What is paraphrasing for?
Paraphrasing is used to reformulate the original text in such a way that it can be used for the specific research question of the qualitative content analysis. Unlike open methods such as grounded theory, qualitative content analysis approaches the material with a fixed question. Paraphrasing reduces the text to a simplified, straightforward form that can be directly related to the research question. This type of reformulation requires a certain amount of sensitivity and experience, as it is often not easy to find the right wording.
Step 2: Paraphrasing
Once relevant text segments have been collected, the process of paraphrasing begins. For this purpose, a code is selected in the analysis software in order to collect all associated segments. The following steps are then carried out for each segment:
- Click on the text passage.
- Create a subcode by clicking on the “+” symbol next to the code.
- Give the subcode a name that summarizes the essence of the text segment as a paraphrase.
Such an approach makes it possible to process text segments precisely in the context of one’s own research question. An exemplary video shows how these steps are implemented in practice.
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Step 3: Generalization
In the last of the three related steps, I no longer work in the text at all, but only in the right-hand column in f4analyse, the code system. After I have created all the paraphrases, I look at all the subcodes I have created. I personally carry out the generalization in three steps:
1. drag the codes that are similar in content under each other with the mouse.
2. form a new subcode. This subcode is given the name of the generalization, i.e. the description of the similarity of the similar paraphrases.
3. sort all matching subcodes (from the previous paraphrasing) as subitems of this generalization.
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Step 4: Reduce
As the code tree is very large and sometimes difficult to keep track of due to the many codes and subcodes. I leave all subcategories, i.e. the paraphrases, as they are, but collapse them for a better overview by clicking on the small triangle next to the generalization. In this way, the entire structure is retained and I still have an overview.
The exported file, whether as a Word or Excel document, contains the paraphrases and the corresponding text passages. This makes it possible to track the analysis and present it transparently.
Memos!
Sorting is not an end in itself. In the end, it’s about being able to tell something about the material in my report. So whenever I notice something exciting, I make a note of it in a memo. In f4analyse, the appropriate memos are always displayed in the various views at the bottom, so I can simply start writing as soon as I notice something.
If I display the topic “Organize learning”, as shown in the example above, the memo is automatically displayed underneath. Whenever you notice something exciting on this topic, you can make a note of it there.
Other exciting contributions could be:
Qualitative content analysis – checklist of methodological decisions
Qualitative content analysis summarized in 5 minutes
Here you can find more information about f4analyse https://www.audiotranskription.de/f4analyse/
