How can documents be analysed?

The content of documents can be explored in systematic ways which look at patterns and themes related to the research question(s). For example, in making a case study of deep and surface learning in a particular course, the question might be 'How has deep learning been encouraged in this course in the last three years?' Minutes of course meetings could be examined to see whether or how much this issue has been discussed; student handouts could be analysed to see whether they are expressed in ways which might encourage deep learning. Together with other data-gathering activities such as student questionnaires or observation of classes, an action research study might then be based on an extended research question so that strategies are implemented to develop deep learning.

In the example of deep learning, perhaps the most obvious way to analyse the set of minutes would be to use a highlighting pen every time the term 'deep learning' was used. You might also choose to highlight 'surface learning' a term with an implied relationship to deep learning. You might also decide, either before starting the analysis, or after reading the documents, that there are other terms or inferences which imply an emphasis on deep learning. You might therefore go through the documents again, selecting additional references.

The levels of analysis will vary but a practitioner-researcher will need to be clear and explicit about the rationale for, and the approach to, selection of content.