SOFTWARE NEWS
STATUS REPORT for a selection of CAQDAS packages: January 2009 (alphabetically listed).
For Windows Vista compatibility check each developer site individually.
Atlas.ti 6
Digital Replay System (DRS)
Framework by NatCen
HyperRESEARCH 2.8 and HyperTRANSCRIBE 1.0
MAXqda 2007
QSR NVivo 8
QDA Miner 3.1
Qualrus
TAMS Analyzer
Transana 2.40
ATLAS.ti 6
Commercial software
Platform: PC Windows
ATLAS.ti provides standard code and retrieve and query functionality along with sophisticated hyperlinking tools and semantic networking. It handles textual and multi-media data formats.
ATLAS.ti version 6 was launched in February 2009. If you purchased ATLAS.ti after 1st July 2008 you will be entitled to a free upgrade to version 6.
For information on new features see http://www.atlasti.com
Digital Replay System (DRS)
http://web.mac.com/andy.crabtree/NCeSS_Digital_Records_Node/Welcome.html
Free and open source
Platform: PC Windows & Apple MAC
DRS is a next generation CAQDAS tool which enables the synchronization, replay, and analysis of audio and video recordings. Distinctively, DRS also enables these conventional forms of recording to be combined with ‘system logs’, which record interaction within computational environments or are the product of using computational techniques to analyse data. SMS messages, interaction in virtual environments, GPS data, or data from body sensors, for example, may be imported into DRS, synchronized with conventional recordings, and be replayed alongside them.
FrameWork by NATCEN (National Centre of Social Research, UK)
http://www.framework-natcen.co.uk/
Commercial software
Platform: PC Windows (single user or networked versions)
Framework was launched commercially in March 2009. Supporting the Framework* methodological approach to analysing qualitative data, the software allows data to be organised into a series of matrices, which facilitates case-based and thematic analysis. Framework extends standard CAQDAS capabilities by enabling the creation of tailored matrix outputs or summarised data.
To view the online software demonstration:
http://www.framework-natcen.co.uk/demo/index.htm
*created by NatCen’s Qualitative Research Unit in 1985.
HyperRESEARCH 2.8 and HyperTRANSCRIBE 1.0
Commercial software
Platform: PC Windows & Apple MAC
HyperRESEARCH provides the standard functionality common to many CAQDAS packages for textual and multi-media data together with some additional features provided through the Hypothesis Tester. Researchware now also develop and sell an aid to the transcription of audo and video formats, HyperTRANSCRIBE. You can purchase both programs together as a HyperBUNDLE and save money.
For information on upgrading HyperRESEARCH visit http://www.researchware.com/hr/upgrades.html
MAXqda 2007
Commercial software
Platform: PC Windows
MAXQDA 2007 was released in September 2007. This release included builds on its familar interface and offers a range of new visual tools. It is available in english, german, french, italian, spanish and japanese versions. In July 2008 MAXqda 2007 provided the first way of integrating Geo-referencing into a CAQDAS package using GEO-links.
Add-on modules provide extra functions concerned with Content analysis (word frequency tools) in MAXdictio and mapping in MAXmaps.
MAXqda can be updated automatically (if you have a full licence rather than the free demo) by going to the Help menu see '?' along the main menu bar - select Search for updates. If you are online the software will download and install the updates in seconds.It closes MAXqda and then re-opens again automatically a few seconds later.
QSR NVivo 8
Commercial software
Platform: PC Windows
NVivo 8 was released on 12 March 2008. While retaining the same user interface (to minimise refamilarisation) NVivo 8 provides new and extended support for multimedia data.
Click here To find out whats new
The latest Service Pack for NVivo 8 is SP3 which includes a variety of additional features including the display of word frequency results, options for importing transcripts and the ability to merge user profiles.
For more information and the link to download NVivo 8 service pack 3, go to: http://www.qsrinternational.com//news_whats-new_detail.aspx?view=131
If you are not updating to NVivo8 you may need to upgrade your version of NVivo7 to its maximum functionality.
Go to this URL to upload Service Packs:
http://www.qsrinternational.com/products_nvivo_service-packs.aspx
(The current version of NVivo 7 is 7.0.281.0. If you are using this version, your software is up-to-date. There is no need for you to download any service packs).
QDA Miner 3.1
http://www.provalisresearch.com/
Commercial software
Platform: PC Windows
QDA Miner is a mixed method software, providing code/retrieve functionality as well as sophisticated statistical text mining features. Optional add-on modules provide further mixed method elements (Wordstat, Simstat).
Version 3.1 includes new devices such as colour highlight style coding. The developer of this software is constantly updating and tweaking to offer more functions - stay in touch with developments.
Download updates by visiting http://www.provalisresearch.com/services/updates.html
Qualrus
http://www.ideaworks.com/qualrus/index.html
Commercial software
Platform: PC Windows
Qualrus is designed to handle unstructured textual and multi-media data. As well as tools common to other CAQDAS packages, Qualrus includes intelligent coding tools, which learns coding trends over time and suggests codes based on a number of criteria.
Idea works are currently working on a web based version. For information on this see http://www.ideaworks.com/qualrus/development.html
TAMS Analyzer 3.61b8
http://tamsys.sourceforge.net/
Open source freeware
Platform: MAC OS X & Linux
Designed for use in ethnographic and discourse researcg TAMS ( Text Analysis Markup System) is a convention for identifying themes in qualitative texts. TAMS Analyzer provides code/retreive and analytic functionality and transcription for audio files.
To download the current version visit http://tamsys.sf.net/osxtams/download.html
Transana 2.40
Open Source
Commercial software (low cost)
Platform: PC Windows & Apple MAC
Single user and Multi-user versions
Transana is a audio-video analysis and transcription tool. It provides effective synchronisation between video/audio and textual trascriptions and the usual code/retrieve functionality. Transana 2.40 adds support for multiple simultaneous media files, meaning up to 4 media files about the same event can be synchronised and played simultaneously.
A multi user version allows multiple sites to work (online)simultaneously on the same project and data.
To download the latest version visit http://www.transana.org/download/index.htm
