Conducting secondary analysis of qualitative data: Should we, can we, and how?

• Published in: Qualitative social work : QSW : research and practice Vol. 18; no. 1; pp. 81 - 97
• Main Authors: Ruggiano, Nicole, Perry, Tam E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01-01-2019; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Data; Data analysis; Emotional abuse; Methodological problems; Parent attitudes; Systematic review; Critical interpretive synthesis; systematic review; methodology; secondary data analysis
• ISSN: 1473-3250; 1741-3117
• DOI: 10.1177/1473325017700701

While secondary data analysis of quantitative data has become commonplace and encouraged across disciplines, the practice of secondary data analysis with qualitative data has met more criticism and concerns regarding potential methodological and ethical problems. Though commentary about qualitative secondary data analysis has increased, little is known about the current state of qualitative secondary data analysis or how researchers are conducting secondary data analysis with qualitative data. This critical interpretive synthesis examined research articles (n = 71) published between 2006 and 2016 that involved qualitative secondary data analysis and assessed the context, purpose, and methodologies that were reported. Implications of findings are discussed, with particular focus on recommended guidelines and best practices of conducting qualitative secondary data analysis.