Abstract:

Based on the relevant studies on qualitative data analysis(QDA) and manuals of QDA tools, the authors summarized the background of research paradigm and procedures of qualitative data analysis. Then five typical tools of QDA were introduced whose functions for coding and query, visualization and conclusion verification were also compared. Furthermore, those papers which used QDA tools and were published in library and information science journals were collected .After demonstrating the applicability of QDA tools in those three fields of research, namely, distribution of information, information user research, information system design, the differences and similarities among QDA tools and content analysis softwares were also concluded. Last but not least, it is suggested that researchers should employ QDA tools to conduct mixed methods researches.

Key words: Qualitative Data Analysis(QDA), Information science, Codes, Mixed methods