Mapping tools include templates and visual representations for users to interact with and fill in with data and relationships established between chunks of data. Classification tools allow users to create categories of data that are from one source or multiple cases that have attributes and values data and allow the user to map thematic data to case data.

Nodes are the name that NVivo uses for codes, and there are two types of nodes: thematic nodes and case nodes. One of the benefits of using NVivo 12 Pro is that it has developed several options for users to sort, label, and organize coded data hierarchically through the node and through classification and mapping tools. For librarians, this process would be similar to creating subject headings labels for sections of data that may help move forward or bring to the surface emerging themes in the second phase of analysis. Coding essentially means labeling and creating categories for sections or “chunks” of data in the dataset. The first phase of analysis in qualitative research is coding of the datasets. The audience for all CAQDAS programs, including NVivo, is for qualitative researchers, mixed-methods researchers, and students learning about qualitative and mixed-methods research data collection, analysis, display, and reporting. Other CAQDAS programs include Atlas.ti (Scientific Software Development GmbH), Dedoose (SocioCultural Research Consultants/UCLA), and QDA Miner (Provalis Research), among several others. CAQDAS programs do not, however, replace the need for the human researcher they assist the researcher by offering tools and features to organize and structure the data collected. CAQDAS programs assist qualitative researchers to collect, organize, analyze, visualize, and report their data. It has also been argued that using NVivo or computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS) can even improve the quality of the analysis. NVivo can import and support multiple types of formats and data types and is a helpful tool for sorting, organizing, and analyzing qualitative data. Given the different types of qualitative data, tools to manage and analyze this information must provide options for data in multiple formats. Qualitative data can produce meaningful findings if they are managed properly, even though these data can oftentimes be multifaceted.

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