NVivo helps researchers organise, code, and analyse qualitative data like interviews, focus groups, and open-ended survey responses. Master thematic analysis with this powerful CAQDAS tool.
Create a new project, set up folder structure, and import any existing codebooks or research questions.
Import transcripts, PDFs, survey responses, audio files, or web content. Organise by source type or participant group.
Create thematic nodes (codes) through deductive (pre-set) or inductive (emergent) approaches. Code segments of text.
Use matrix coding queries, word frequency, and text search to identify patterns and test initial themes.
Export coded extracts, visualisations, and summary tables. Build thematic maps for your final write-up.
Automatically code based on paragraph, speaker, or query. Analyse sentiment (positive/negative/neutral) in text.
Visually brainstorm connections, build conceptual models, and map relationships between themes.
Multiple researchers can code the same project, compare coding, and calculate inter-rater reliability.
Generate charts, cluster analysis, comparison diagrams, and project maps for deeper insights.
Best practices from experienced qualitative researchers
Code 10-20% of your data first, refine your codebook, then re-code the entire dataset consistently.
Organise themes as parent nodes and sub-themes as child nodes (e.g., "Support Systems" with children "Family" and "Peer").
Use NVivo's backup feature or save to cloud storage. Corrupted files are difficult to recover.
Attach memos to nodes or sources to document your thinking, decisions, and emerging interpretations.
Use the coding comparison query to measure agreement between multiple coders (Kappa coefficient).
Use hierarchical charts, cluster analysis, and project maps to verify theme patterns before finalising conclusions.