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NVivo Qualitative Data Analysis Software: NVivo - What is It?

An introduction to NVivo qualitative textual & audiovisual analysis software.

What can I do with NVivo?

NVivo logoUse NVivo software for qualitative analysis of textual and audiovisual data sources, including:

  • Organizing and coding multiple data sources in one central project file.
  • Assigning attributes to data (e.g., demographics) for comparative purposes.
  • Adding interpretations and notes.
  • Querying and searching data.
  • Visualizing data.
Interested in learning NVivo? Take the workshops and earn the badges!

Do the NVivo 1 & NVivo 2 Tutorials...RECORDINGS

...then earn the NVivo Ready! Badge!

Show others your commitment to learning data skills! Learn more at lib.gsu.edu/data-ready

Do the NVivo 1 & NVivo for Team Coding Tutorials...RECORDINGS

...then earn the NVivo Team Ready! Badge!

Show others your commitment to learning data skills! Learn more at lib.gsu.edu/data-ready

 

Dr. Mandy - GSU's NVivo Guru

Installing NVivo for first time? Need newest version?

CLICK HERE for instructions for downloading, installing, and activating NVivo. Click here for steps to determine NVivo version you have installed.
NVivo License expired or expiring?

CLICK HERE for instructions for acquiring the current license key. Click here for steps to determine NVivo version you have installed.
What's up with NVivo 15 and its AI Assistant?

CLICK HERE to see what Dr. Mandy knows (as of 2024.10.17) about NVivo 15 and its new AI Assistant.
Need to collaborate with two or more team members in NVivo?

See my NVivo for Team Coding - Tips & Resources handout and watch my NVivo for Team Coding workshop recording.

NVivo does not do the intellectual work for the researcher, nor does any other qualitative data analysis software/tool...

There is no magic button to push to have NVivo produce definitive findings.

…[Researchers] still have to become intimately familiar with the data through reading and rereading – i.e., as qualitative researchers committed to probing the rich, nuanced meaning within people’s words, they should not just text mine and call that ‘analysis’. …NVivo is primarily a data management and organization tool that facilitates analysis – but the true analysis occurs within researchers’ minds where they draw out the meaning from the data guided by their analytical and methodological frameworks and research questions. …[Q]ualitative data analysis software is merely a conduit via which the researcher applies their chosen theory and method – it is not the theory or method in and of itself.

From p.10-11, 12 of: Swygart-Hobaugh, M. (2019). Bringing method to the madness: An example of integrating social science qualitative research methods into NVivo data analysis software training. IASSIST Quarterly 43(2), 1-16. https://iassistquarterly.com/index.php/iassist/article/view/956  

Mac Version of NVivo - Challenges

Apple logo and Windows logo with word abbreviation vs for versus in between them

Mac Version of NVivo - Challenges

  • The Mac version of NVivo is not as fully functional as the Windows version.
  • Moving between Mac and Windows with NVivo often causes technical challengess – if at all possible, DON’T try to work across platforms.
  • We do not offer workshops/recordings on the Mac version due to having no Mac access to do so. Differences in interface, functionality, and features between the Mac and Windows version of NVivo may make it challenging to follow along with the Windows workshop if you are using a Mac. If you are a current GSU faculty, staff, or students and need targeted training for the Mac version of NVivo after attending the NVivo workshops or watching the NVivo recorded workshops, please contact Dr. Mandy.
ATTENTION Mac Users:

You may need to change your System Preferences to install NVivo for Mac -- troubleshoot using this page steps #3 or #4.