Computer assistance for testing hypotheses about qualitative data: The software package AQUAD 3.0

The analysis of qualitative data seems to be inevitably bound to tedious and time-consuming mechanical work, especially if we proceed to more complex analytical procedures like testing hypotheses. In this article we describe the general tasks of qualitative analysis, i.e., reducing data, structuring findings, and drawing conclusions. Then we outline, referring to the software package AQUAD 3.0, how software facilitates the work of qualitative researchers. By describing a practical application of this software, basic features of computer assistance to hypotheses testing are explained.