Computing in Qualitative Analysis: A Healthy Development?

In all fields where qualitative data are important, and especially in fields where rigorous qualitative analysis is demanded, computers are remaking methodology. Demand for, and faith in, computing for qualitative analysis is now strongly influencing health research. In this article, the authors argue for an evaluation of the impact of computer techniques and an opening of debate among developers and users of programs to address the purposes, power, and potential of computing in qualitative research. As a contribution to such a debate, these authors explore the original goals, design, and implementation of one approach to qualitative computing: NUDIST, a newly developed program for the mainframe and the Macintosh™ is introduced. In light of this, the ways in which old goals were achieved and the means by which the new goals imposed by users and critics may be met are discussed.