Philipp Mayring (2008)
Mayring outlines a systematic, rule-guided qualitative content analysis that adapts strengths of quantitative content analysis.
The article formulates qualitative content analysis as a systematic, rule-guided approach to text analysis that retains key strengths associated with quantitative content analysis. It clarifies core principles such as units of analysis, step models, category work, and quality criteria (validity and reliability). It also distinguishes two central procedures—inductive category development and deductive category application—and discusses how computer programs can support these steps. The paper is useful as a foundational roadmap for designing, executing, and evaluating content-analytic studies in qualitative research.
Conceptual and methodological exposition of qualitative content analysis procedures and quality criteria.
Basic familiarity with qualitative research and content analysis concepts (coding, categories, and methodological quality).