WEBQDA: The Quest for a Place in the Competitive World of CAQDAS

Abstract

This paper aims to address the efforts that have been made towards the enhancement and growth of webQDA® (Web Qualitative Data Analysis), functionalities, tools and structure. The main purpose of this study is to define the improvements and updates that can optimize and increase the quality of the existing tools. It also seeks to increment the usability of the software by adding new tools and functionalities. For data collection, a comparison with other CAQDAS (Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software) and their capabilities and a webQDA® user's online survey answered by 84 participants was undertaken. After a qualitative analysis of these data it was noticed that the webQDA®, in a global way, is at the same level as the other main CAQDAS. Improvements and updates were made to optimize and increase the quality of the existing tools. In this way, the coding process was simplified in order to improve the user's usability, and the cooperative work was enhanced by adding the tools “Notes” and “Comments” that allow other users to validate the results. However, as far as inputs, data visualization and licenses are concerned, some suggestions for improvements were made. It is our belief that the introduction of these improvements will make webQDA® one of the best CAQDAS in the market.