Towards Rigour in Qualitative Analysis

Using a study about students' experiences and perceptions of 'race' and racism at a medical school in South Africa, this paper demonstrates that qualitative data analysis can be systematic, procedural and rigorous. The paper initially outlines the analytical procedures followed during the study. We then reflect on the value of these procedures in optimising our research outcome and finally we illustrate the development of our thinking by tracking steps in our analysis in relation to one cluster of key findings. We also note ways in which the qualitative software package NVivo contributed to systematic and rigorous practice. We conclude that in order to contribute to best practice in qualitative research, qualitative researchers need to make their analytical procedures transparent in research reports.