MAXQDA is one of the world's leading software programs for computer-assisted qualitive data and text analysis, created and distributed by VERBI GmbH. VERBI designed the software for both qualitative and quantitative research (mixed methods research) in academic, scientific, and business institutions.
One distinguishing characteristic of the program is the intuitive four-window interface. MAXQDA 10 now is the latest member of the MAX program family, which was first made available in 1989.
The basic version of MAXQDA offers all the necessary features for a state-of-the-art analysis of qualitative data. It also contains the powerful graphics tool MAXMaps as a fully-integrated component.
MAXQDAplus is the extended version, which includes the add-on software MAXDictio for quantitative lexical analysis.
Udo Kuckartz, professor for empirical educational science at the Marburg University, authors the program and various books on computer-based qualitaitve research.
First version released under the name MAX for the DOS Windows System.
1994
New version WinMAX switches to the Windows platform.
Continuous upgrades follow, enhancing functionality with visualization options (e.g. the display of coding strips).
2001
New version MAXqda equipped to work with the .rtf format, and a new dictonary-based tool MAXDictio becomes available.
2004
MAXqda 2 offers many new features, including elaborate visual tools Code-Matrix-Browser and Code-Relations-Browswer for data representation.
2005
Add-on module MAXMaps for graphical and content interpretation released.
2007
MAXQDA 2007 launched. This version is optimized for all parts of the research process; new features, such as the TextPortrait, the Codeliner, and the Text-Comparison-Chart, offer new insights into the data and supply the researcher with the necessary tools for methodological innovations.
2008
Extensive licensing reform gives users a high range of flexibility. Single-user, network and portable licenses (on a USB Flash drive) are now available.
MAXQDA is the first QDA software to integrate geo-references.
2010
MAXQDA 10 is released and offers next to a modern design new functions, especially the program is now capable of importing Word documents, PDFs, and image files and working with audio and video files
furthermore the new version offers new toolbars, resizable PDF document display, color display of coded segments, visualizations of word counts in tag clouds, ad-hoc search functionality in all four main windows, optimized georeferencing, and improved memo management.
Special features of MAXQDA 10
availible in 10 languages
Teamwork function allows one to create a detailed protocol of all operations performed by each team member
Memos can be used to document all ideas and insights that come up while working on the text and can be easily organized with the Memo SystemFile:Memo Manager.jpg
MAXMaps and other program functions, like the Document Portait, the Code-Matrix-Browser, the Code-Relations-Browser, the Codeliner and the Document Comparison Chart offer a wide range of options for data visualization
2. Ann Lewins and Christina Silver: Using Software in Qualitative Research: A Step-by-Step Guide, 2007,Sage Publications, Los Angeles, London, New Dehli, Singapore
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