Use The Ethnograph to . . .

Create and Manage Data Files

Easily Create and Import Data Files

• Copy and paste documents from any word processing program or Web browser and start analyzing your data immediately.
  
• The Ethnograph Editor will format the file and automatically save it as an ‘ETH’ file, import and number the file, and assign it to a Project.
  

Efficiently Create and Manage Data File Projects

• A Project consists of a list of data files in a directory with no limit on the number of data files.
  
• Projects may be organized into sub-projects called Child Projects, again with no limits on the number of data files. A data file may even belong to more than one Child Project.
  
• Rename, move, merge, duplicate, delete or back up projects as desired.

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Code Data Files

Effectively and Easily Code Data Files

• Code immediately using only your mouse! Choose the ‘code sets’ option to apply a number of codes at once.
  
• Select the ‘quick code’ procedure to key in one code to a segment that can be then applied immediately to other segments.
  
• As you add your codes, the program inserts the code name and a code symbol at the top of each coded segment providing immediate on-screen verification of your coding.

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Code Book, Master List, Family Tree

Exhibit Codes and Code Definitions

• As you work on your data the Master code list is automatically created and code words are added to the Code Book, where you can also attach handy definitions of your codes.
  
• The pop up Master Code List keeps track of all the code words you have used and acts as a useful tool for selecting codes to be entered for the ‘code sets’ and ‘quick code’ procedures
  
• Organize code words into Code Families in the Code Family Tree.
  
• Code Families may remain independent or they may be linked by higher concepts that are not used to code segments of text.
  
• Selectively display and print the Code Book with its Master code list, or the Code Family Tree, or both.
  
• Automatically add/delete code words from the Code Book or Data Files.

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Analytic Writing: Text, File and Project Memos

Enhance Your Memo Capabilities

• Memos can be up to 32 pages long allowing you more than adequate space to develop your thoughts as they occur in the course of your analysis and take note of them.
  
• Attaching Memos to specific lines in a data file, directly to the data file or to the Project keeps background information, ideas or data sources close by for fast and easy on-screen reference.
  
• Memos attached to specific lines are flagged on the screen and you can attach up to 26 Memos of unlimited size to every line in your data file.
  
• Memos may be printed with the corresponding data segment.
  
• Create lists of Memo types and independently code the Memos.

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Search Option:  New Options and Possibilties

Expand Your Search Output Displays

• Search by single code words, code words linked with ‘and’ and ‘not’, or speaker/section identifiers for detailed scrutiny of your data.
  
• Ask comprehensive questions of your data using The Ethnograph’s ability to filter by Face Sheets (the characteristics of the document), Identifier Sheets (the characteristics of speakers), Identifiers (specific speakers), or File Codes.
  
• View search output as segments, frequencies or summary reports to get the complete picture.
  
• Attach Memos to lines, files or the Project when viewing search outputs, ensuring that thoughts, background sources and emerging theories are close at hand.
  
• View segment output as cross-referenced segments, as numbered text or as plain text that may be copied and pasted into a word processor document for swift incorporation into your reports or research documents.
  
• Export frequency output to an ASCII file which can then be exported to statistical software, to give yourself an extra outlet for further analysis.
  
• Selecting code words for a search from a Master Code List or from the Code Family Tree ensures that your searches are complete and comprehensive. If a code word has children, you can search for the specific code word and/or the code word’s children.
  
• Better understand the context of a segment by expanding it to include surrounding text.
  
• View the sequential order in which coded segments occur within data files by setting the search order to By Code Sequence. Look for a code word across all data files by setting search order to By Code Word.

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