NVivo is software for Qualitative Research from QSR International. Many people consider it their favorite because it is so powerful and provides organization for the entire project. The learning curve is small to do basic tasks, but there are many advanced features that can take longer to get accustomed to.
NVivo 1.0 (released March 18, 2020) was released for Windows and Mac. As previously, the Mac version has fewer features. QSR also released Collaboration Cloud for sharing projects (within OS only). The Plus and Pro versions from v12 have been combined.
NVivo 12 (released March 20, 2018) for Windows has 2 versions. Pro has the basic features researchers need. Plus has additional automation and social networking capabilities. NVivo for Mac OS is also available, with somewhat fewer features than the Windows Pro version. The Starter Edition from v11 has been discontinued.
See this page in two guides:
NVivo comes with one (or more) sample projects to open and explore. QSR video and text tutorials use the "Multi-Method" or "Environmental Change Down East" project, so you can follow along.
The fast video have sections for Import, Organize, and Explore Data. For v1.5 they total about 20min. For v12, they total about 4 min
Windows 1.5 | Mac 1.5 | Windows v12 | Mac v12 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fast, Text Bubbles (no audio) | Text Bubbles | Text Bubbles | Text Bubbles | Text Bubbles |
Link | Playlist | Playlist | Playlist | Playlist |
Getting Started | #1, #2 | #1, #2 | #2 | #1 |
Importing Files | #3 | #3 | #3 | ^ |
Creating Cases | #10 & #11 | #10, #11, #15 | #5 | #6, #7 |
Coding | #19, #22 | #20, #24 | #8 | #2, #3 |
Reviewing Coding | #23, #24 | #25, #26 | #9 | ^ |
Managing Codes | #28 | #24 | #19 | #4 |
Memos, Links, Annotations | #25, #26 | #27, #28 | #12 | |
Identifying Themes | #30 | n/a | n/a | #5 |
Visualization | Explore | Explore |
#15, #16, #18 |
Explore |
1. The documentation from QSR is great, and is the recommended way to learn NVivo by reading.
Version 1.5 - Use the sandwich in the upper right to navigate: 1.5 Windows | 1.0 Mac
Version 12 - Start with the Using NVivo section: v12 Windows | v12 Mac
2. For more in-depth coverage, I would recommend the book Using Software in Qualitative Research by Ann Lewins; Christina Silver. It is not specific to any software, and thus will be useful regardless of the version you use, and remain so even as the softwares change (NVivo has been releasing a new version about every 2 years).
These are wonderful materials and should be the first stop.
Ask a Librarian | Hours & Directions | Mason Libraries Home
Copyright © George Mason University