Introduction to NVivo

Welcome to the Introduction to NVivo module. NVivo is software that allows you to store, organise and analyse qualitative data, and it is installed on most computers at Curtin’s Australian campuses.

If you would like access on a personal computer, you can request a free download by going to the ‘SupportU’ self-service portal in OASIS, searching ‘Request Home Use Software’, selecting the search result and entering the required information. Alternatively, you can download NVivo onto a Curtin device by using ‘Install Applications’ (Windows) or ‘Self-Service’ (Mac) on your desktop. Please note that if you are using a Mac, there are differences between the two versions of NVivo.

If you have any questions about this module, please contact Library-UniSkills@curtin.edu.au

What you will learn

  • How to import different types of materials into an NVivo project (including Word, PDF, audio, video and picture files saved on your computer; survey data; web content; emails; and references and PDFs from EndNote) (skip to Setting up an NVivo project)
  • How to store information about cases and files in an NVivo project using case and file classifications (skip to Setting up an NVivo project)
  • How to use codes to organise project materials together according to specific themes and topics (skip to Analysing data in an NVivo project)
  • How to use mindmaps to visualise the layout of codes (skip to Analysing data in an NVivo project)
  • How to use search project materials to find common words or phrases or to identify patterns and make comparisons (skip to Analysing data in an NVivo project)

Setting up an NVivo project

This part of the module details how to set up a project in NVivo. The information is provided in a document, which covers both how to import different types of materials into the project (including Word, PDF, audio, video and picture files saved on your computer; survey data; web content; emails; and references and PDFs from EndNote) and how to store information about cases and files in the project using case and file classifications.

To follow along with the material covered in section two of the document onwards, you will first need to download and save the following files in an appropriate folder on your computer (you will then need to locate them in order to complete section two):

Once you have done this, work through the attached document:

Analysing data in an NVivo project

This part of the module details how to analyse data in an NVivo project. The information is provided in a document, which covers how to organise project materials together according to specific themes and topics by coding into codes; how to use mind maps to visualise the layout of codes; and at how to conduct simple searches. It uses the sample project Environmental Change Down East.