Use NVivo framework matrices to summarize small and large data sets

In this blog post for the NVivo blog, Meg Callanan discusses her experiences using the NVivo framework matrices function with both small and large data sets.

She discusses real research examples from her work and ways of coding and using NVivo's auto-summarize feature with framework matrices.

Extract

"A particular strength of the matrix output is the ability to quickly compare across cases while also retaining a sense of the whole case. By displaying the patient data alongside the data from the staff, it was straightforward to compare views and experiences from these different perspectives.

We also used a node classification to facilitate data organisation. Attributes were created to differentiate between each case study area, to differentiate between staff and patients, and to identify which treatments patients received. This allowed us greater flexibility when viewing data in the matrices as it was quick and easy to filter or order the data according to these attributes.

While summarization does involve an investment of time, by the end of this process, a complex large data set had become a managed set of framework matrices which can then be used to facilitate analysis." (Callanan 2013)