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Practical articles and guidance on using NVivo in qualitative research, including coding, analysis, and getting started with NVivo effectively.

Article - What is NVivo used for in qualitative research?

NVivo is widely used in qualitative research to support the organisation, coding, and analysis of complex data. For many researchers, it provides a way to work more systematically with interviews, documents, and other qualitative materials — helping to bring structure and clarity to the analytical process.

Organising qualitative data
One of the main uses of NVivo is to bring all of your qualitative data into one place.
This might include interview transcripts, field notes, documents, survey responses, or audio and visual materials. Working within a single NVivo project helps you keep track of your data and work more consistently across different sources.

Coding and working with data
NVivo supports the process of coding — identifying and labelling segments of data that relate to particular ideas, themes, or concepts.
Coding in NVivo allows you to work systematically across your data, while still remaining flexible. As your understanding develops, you can return to your coding, refine it, and reorganise it in ways that support your analysis.

Exploring patterns in qualitative research
As your project develops, NVivo can be used to explore patterns within your data.
This might involve comparing themes across interviews, looking at how ideas vary between participants, or examining relationships between different concepts. NVivo helps you move between your data and your developing analysis in a clear and structured way.

Supporting a structured approach to analysis
NVivo does not carry out analysis for you — but it can support a more structured and transparent approach.
Used well, it helps you maintain a clear connection between your data and your interpretations, while also supporting a more rigorous and traceable analytical process. For many researchers, this is where NVivo becomes most valuable.

When NVivo is most useful
NVivo is particularly useful when working with larger or more complex qualitative data sets, or when your project involves multiple data sources.
It is also helpful if you are looking to work in a more structured and systematic way. For smaller projects, it may be less essential, but it can still provide clarity and organisation.

Getting started with NVivo
If you are new to NVivo, it is not necessary to learn everything at once.
A more effective approach is to begin with a clear structure, work with your own data, and build your understanding as your analysis develops. This allows you to use NVivo in a way that supports your research, rather than becoming an additional layer of complexity.

You can explore our NVivo training courses to learn how to apply these approaches in your own research.

Article - How to learn NVivo as a beginner (without getting overwhelmed)

Learning NVivo for the first time can feel overwhelming.
The software offers a wide range of tools and features, and it is not always clear where to begin. For many researchers, the challenge is not just learning the software, but understanding how to use it in a way that supports their research.
A more effective approach is to start simply and build your understanding over time.

Start with your research, not the software
One of the most common difficulties when learning NVivo is focusing too much on the software itself.
NVivo is a tool to support qualitative research — not a process in its own right. It is most effective when used in relation to your own data and research questions.
Starting with your own project helps you make sense of the tools in a meaningful way.

Focus on the core tasks first
You do not need to learn everything in NVivo at once.
In the early stages, it is enough to focus on a few key activities:

Organising your data within a project
Coding sections of data
Reviewing and refining your coding

These core tasks form the foundation of most qualitative analysis in NVivo.

Work in a structured but flexible way
It can be helpful to follow a clear structure when working in NVivo, particularly at the beginning.
At the same time, qualitative analysis is not a linear process. You will move between organising, coding, and interpreting your data as your understanding develops.
Allowing for this flexibility is an important part of working effectively with NVivo.

Avoid trying to use every feature
NVivo includes many advanced tools, but not all of them are necessary for every project.
Trying to use too many features too early can make the process more complex than it needs to be. It is often more effective to work confidently with a small number of tools than to use many tools without a clear purpose.

Build confidence through practice
Confidence in NVivo develops through working with your own data.
As you become more familiar with the process of organising, coding, and reviewing your data, the software becomes easier to use. Over time, you can begin to extend your approach and explore more advanced ways of working.

Learning NVivo in a structured way
For many researchers, learning NVivo is easier with a clear structure and guidance.
A structured approach can help you understand not just how to use the software, but how to apply it within your own research in a way that supports meaningful analysis.

You can explore our NVivo training courses to learn NVivo in a structured and research-focused way.

Fiona Wiltshier MA (Hons) MSc

Meet Fiona

ConcorsCo is led by Fiona Wiltshier, an experienced qualitative researcher and NVivo Platinum Certified Trainer with over 20 years’ experience teaching and supporting researchers globally.

She has worked with researchers across disciplines and sectors, and understands both the capabilities of NVivo and how to apply them meaningfully in research.

She works closely with researchers to ensure NVivo fits their methodology, their project and the way they think about their data.

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