Introduction to NVivo

In addition to the word trees and word clouds discussed in the Searching page of this module, NVivo can also be used to create other visualisations in the form of charts, maps, and diagrams. This page provides two such examples; creating a chart and creating a mind map. In order to follow some of the examples, you should make use of the Environmental Change Down East sample project (as detailed in NVivo sample projects).

Creating a chart

NVivo allows you to create charts to visualise various aspects of the codes, files and cases in your project. For example, you could create a chart to show how many of each reference type exist in the sample project, using the Reference Type attribute of the’ Reference’ file classification. You can do this as follows:

  1. Go to the ‘Explore’ tab and choose ‘Chart’
  2. Select ‘Charts…’ from the drop down menu
  3. Select ‘Files’ and click ‘Next’
  4. Choose ‘Files by attribute for an attribute’ (to just work with one attribute), then choose ‘Next’ again
  5. Click on ‘Select…’ to choose the attribute to display on the x-axis (e.g. choose the Reference Type attribute of the ‘Reference’ file classification), then click ‘OK’
  6. Change the ‘X-axis attribute’ to be ‘All attribute values except ‘Unassigned’, ‘Not Applicable’’ (to not display these values in the graph if preferred)
  7. Select ‘Finish’ and your graph will display

Note that you can edit your chart once created using the options available in the ‘Chart’ tab on the ribbon, and you can export, print or copy the chart by right clicking on it and selecting the required option from the menu.

For more information on charts, you may like to view the you may like to view the NVivo User Help - Charts online help.

Creating maps

You can create different types of maps to visualise ideas and displays connections and links in your NVivo project. In particular, a mind map can be used to display ideas and relationships and can be used to create codes, while a concept map can be used to define and connect concepts and a project map can be used to visualise items and links in a project. This section provides an example of how to create a mind map, but for more on this or on other types of maps you may like to view the NVivo User Help - Maps online help.

Creating a mind map

A mind map is a brainstorming tool that starts with a central topic or main idea. Ideas that relate to the central topic are represented by an individual shape and connected with a line to the main idea, either at the same level or in a hierarchy. Additionally, an idea that is not connected to any other ideas can be added as a floating idea in the mind map.

To create a new mind map for the sample project, do the following:

  1. Select Maps in the Navigation View (in the ‘Visualizations’ group), then right click in the white space in the List View and select ‘New Mind Map…’ (alternatively, select the ‘Explore’ tab on the ribbon at the top of the screen, then select the ‘Maps’ drop down menu and choose ‘Mind Map’)
  2. Enter a name for the map (e.g. ‘Sample mind map’) and a description if wished, then click ‘OK’
  3. The new map should open in the Details View and will also be stored in the Maps folder (in the ‘Visualizations’ group). To add items to the map, for example items that relate to the sample project, do the following:
    • Enter the name of a key concept or topic in the circle displayed in the mind map (e.g. ‘Shoreline Changes’)
    • Right click on this circle and select ‘Insert Sibling Idea’ or ‘Insert Child Idea’ and add text to the box that appears (e.g. choose ‘Insert Child Idea’ and add the text ‘Development’)
    • Right click on the latest idea (e.g. ‘Development’) and select ‘Insert Sibling Idea’, then add text to the box that appears (e.g. ‘Fishing’)
    • Right click on the latest idea (e.g. ‘Fishing’) and select ‘Insert Child Idea’, then add text to the box that appears (e.g. ‘Recreational Fishing’)
    • Right click on the latest idea (e.g. ‘Recreational Fishing’) and select ‘Insert Sibling Idea’, then add text to the box that appears (e.g. ‘Commercial Fishing’) (alternatively, you could right click on ‘Fishing’ and select ‘Insert Child Idea’)
    • Right click in the white space and select ‘Insert Floating Idea’, then add text to the box that appears (e.g. ‘Community Views’)
    • To edit any item labels, either rick click on the item and choose ‘Edit Label’ from the menu, or double click on the item
    • To delete any ideas, right click on the item and choose ‘Delete’ from the menu

Note that you can use the menu items in the ‘Mind Map’ tab at the top of the screen to change the Fill, Border Colour and Border Width of various components of the mind map if necessary, and also to change the layout (e.g. to be top down).

To export or print your mind map, right click in the mind map area and select the required option from the menu. To create codes for items in the mind map, click on ‘Create as Codes or Cases’ in the menu and then click ‘OK’. The mind map will be converted into the themed code hierarchy under Codes in the List View (or under Cases if this option is selected).