RQDA is an R package for computer assisted qualitative data analysis or CAQDAS. It is installable from, and runs within, the R statistical software, but has a separate window running a graphical user interface (through RGtk2). RQDA's approach allows for tight integration of the constructivist approach of qualitative research with quantitative data analysis which can increase the rigor, transparency and validity of qualitative research.
In the graphical interface it has the following functions:
Import documents from plain textSupport non-English documents, Simplified Chinese Character is well-tested under WindowsSupport character-level codingMemos for documents, codes, coding, project, files etc.Retrieve coding, and easily gets back to the original file. Conditional retrieval is supported as well.Single-file (*.rqda) format, which is basically the SQLite databaseCategorize codes (tree-like categories are avoided)Categorize filesSearch files by keywords and can highlight keyword in the open fileShow attributes of files, which is useful for content analysisCategorise cases and related attributes of cases (to bridge qualitative and quantitative research)Search information about selected cases from the webRename files, codes, code categories, cases etc.Write and organize fieldwork journalsThrough use of R functions, it can:
Import a batch of filesCalculate the relation between two codings, given the coding indexesGive a summary of coding and inter-code relationship.Export file/case attributes and show subset of files/cases.Allow for more flexible conditional retrieval.Boolean operations of and, or and not.
