Using descriptors in your qualitative or mixed methods study allows you to break out the work you’ve done with your qualitative data based on information that distinguishes the sources of your media files, such as participant demographics, so you can introduce new dimensions to your analysis.  That means that if you use descriptors you can look not only at the emerging themes, but how the data captured by these themes may vary as a function of  gender, age, location, etc. And since Dedoose allows for multiple sets, or levels, of descriptors you can add as much depth to your analysis as your study needs.

Descriptors, while incredibly valuable to a mixed methods study, can be confusing to those just starting out. That’s why we created a Descriptors Series on our blog. Below you will find a brief overview of topics surrounding the Descriptor Workspace you can get to know and use descriptors effectively.

Check out our article here for a detailed description of Dedoose and Descriptors.