The Use of Online Data Sources in a Qualitative Analysis Learning Project

Abstract

Our purpose in writing this article is to describe the use of online data sources (such as blogs and microblogs) in a qualitative analysis learning project for graduate occupational therapy students. The project was designed to meet the following learning objectives: (1) increase students’ understanding and appreciation for qualitative research principles and methods, (2) increase students’ ability to use thematic and narrative analysis procedures with authentic data sets, and (3) increase students’ ability to apply qualitative findings to occupational therapy practice. This article describes the project’s theoretical rationale, components, objectives, implementation, and informal outcomes, along with a discussion of strengths and limitations of this project and suggestions for future research. This project demonstrates one way in which publicly available online data sources can be used to create an effective graduate qualitative analysis learning activity. We are sharing this innovative learning project in the hopes that it may be of interest to our colleagues in higher education and may contribute to the ethical and scholarly use of online data in learning assignments.