Qualitative content analysis

Margrit Schreier

Chapter 30 in Elgar Concise Encyclopedia of Research Methods in the Social Sciences, 2026, pp 212-219 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Qualitative content analysis (QCA) is a category-based method for the systematic analysis of qualitative data. This is done by assigning segments of the material to the categories of a coding frame which covers and exemplifies all meanings that are of interest to the researcher. In this entry, the history of the method is described. This is followed by an exploration of the core characteristics of the method and a detailed description of the steps of carrying out QCA: preparation, developing a draft version of the coding frame, pilot testing the draft frame, main analysis phase, and steps following QCA. Next, a distinction is made between different versions of the method, with special emphasis on the distinction between qualitative and quantitative versions and recent emphasis on the specifically qualitative elements. The entry concludes with a look at perspectives for the future development of QCA.

Keywords: Qualitative Content Analysis; Quantitative Content Analysis; Coding Frame; Qualitative Data Analysis; Coding; Versions Of Qualitative Content Analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781803921297
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