Preparing for final write-up

Memos and your project journal

Throughout your project you have been writing regularly—creating memos and perhaps recording your progress in a project journal.  You can use all of this material as the basis for your final 'write-up'. For example, you might export your memos as Microsoft Word documents and these may eventually evolve into chapters of your thesis.

Exporting data to use in the final 'write-up'

Qualitative researchers share their findings in a variety of ways—from traditional reports to video documentaries and conference presentations. NVivo lets you export your data in many formats so that you can include it in whatever medium you decide to use—for example you could:

• Export your memos or to Microsoft Word.
• Export crosstab query results or classification sheets to use in statistical applications like Microsoft Excel or IBM SPSS Statistics.
• Copy a chart or export it as an image file and include it in your presentation—you can also do this with other visualizations like diagrams and maps.

Planning and creating a convincing report

As your project matures, it may be time to consolidate your emerging ideas and insights.  For example, you might want to review the memos, annotations and maps you have created.  Are your ideas beginning to crystallize? Can you identify gaps in your knowledge—and plan how you will fix or explain them? If you feel you can confidently address your research question, then you may be ready to write your final report.

There is no standard template for creating a qualitative report and your approach will depend on your particular discipline or methodology—but this table provides a basic outline and helps you to see how the work you have done in NVivo can support the writing-up process.