AUTHOR=Suchman Lauren , Omoluabi Elizabeth , Kramer Julia , Vallin Janelli , Sedlander Erica , Gitome Serah , Wekesa Pauline , Kwena Zachary , Granovsky Rachel , Kayego Agnes , Kaudha Betty , Atuyambe Lynn , Amongin Dinah , Alitubeera Phoebe , Tijani Aminat , Okoli Chioma , Jegede Ayobambo , Kamanga Martha , Nyando Mandayachepa , Ndunyu Louisa , Holt Kelsey , The ICAN Research Consortium , Holt Kelsey , Liu Jenny X. , Bukusi Elizabeth , Gitome Serah , Omoluabi Elizabeth , Malata Address , Waiswa Peter , Kwena Zachary , Ndunyu Louisa , Wekesa Pauline , Okumu Sarah , Idiodi Ivan , Okoli Chioma , Tijani Aminat , Jegede Ayobambo , Nmadu Grace , Dimowo Shakede , Kamanga Martha , Nyando Mandayachepa , Mtalimanja Innocencia , Jumbe Tamandani , Atuyambe Lynn , Amongin Dinah , Alitubeera Phoebe , Birabwa Catherine , Kayego Agnes , Kaudha Betty , Phillips Beth , Suchman Lauren , Vallin Janelli , Challa Sneha , Kramer Julia , Sedlander Erica , Williams LaKia TITLE=Analyzing fast and slow: Combining traditional and rapid qualitative analysis to meet multiple objectives of a complex transnational study JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sociology VOLUME=8 YEAR=2023 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sociology/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2023.961202 DOI=10.3389/fsoc.2023.961202 ISSN=2297-7775 ABSTRACT=

Much of the methodological literature on rapid qualitative analysis describes processes used by a relatively small number of researchers focusing on one study site and using rapid analysis to replace a traditional analytical approach. In this paper, we describe the experiences of a transnational research consortium integrating both rapid and traditional qualitative analysis approaches to develop social theory while also informing program design. Research was conducted by the Innovations for Choice and Autonomy (ICAN) consortium, which seeks to understand how self-injection of the contraceptive subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC) can be implemented in a way that best meets women's needs, as defined by women themselves. Consortium members are based in Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Nigeria, and the United States. Data for the ICAN study was collected in all four countries in sub-Saharan Africa. In order to both illuminate social phenomena across study sites and inform the program design component of the study, researchers developed tools meant to gather both in-depth information about women's contraceptive decision-making and data targeted specifically to program design during the formative qualitative phase of the study. Using these two bodies of data, researchers then simultaneously conducted both a traditional qualitative and rapid analysis to meet multiple study objectives. To complete the traditional analysis, researchers coded interview transcripts and kept analytical memos, while also drawing on data collected by tools developed for the rapid analysis. Rapid analysis consisted of simultaneously collecting data and reviewing notes developed specifically for this analysis. We conclude that integrating traditional and rapid qualitative analysis enabled us to meet the needs of a complex transnational study with the added benefit of grounding our program design work in more robust primary data than normally is available for studies using a human-centered design approach to intervention development. However, the realities of conducting a multi-faceted study across multiple countries and contexts made truly “rapid” analysis challenging.