Sample

At the time this report was drafted, the inquiry had conducted 349 private sessions with survivors. This analysis drew on private session transcripts from a sample of 50. We selected them to ensure a mix of survivor demographics (ethnicity, gender, age), disability (all those who said they were disabled were included) and settings (State and faith- based institutions). The sample also included 11 survivors who were in prison at the time of their private session).

Establishing the coding framework

A coding framework was developed to organise and analyse the content of transcripts in a way that addressed the key questions in the inquiry’s terms of reference and allowed survivor voices to speak for themselves about their experiences of abuse. The framework also enabled us to identify survivor demographics, placements (or institutions) and settings. 

Accessing and coding data

All file-sharing that involved either raw or analysed transcripts was completed in a secure environment established by the inquiry. Only team  members with approved access could view the transcripts. Researchers did not discuss survivor experiences or the analysis of them outside the research team. To ensure confidentiality, all names given to survivors are pseudonyms, with only demographic information (age, gender and ethnicity) used where available.

To complete the analysis, the coding framework was loaded into NVivo 13. The research team trialled the coding framework and as coding was undertaken continually reviewed and amended the framework. A peer- review system was also set up to ensure a shared understanding of the coding framework and its application by the research team. These processes were designed to support inter-rater reliability, which ensures researchers consistently apply the coding framework.

Refining the coding framework

The coding framework remained open to modification as information was drawn out from the coding process. To support this, the research team met each week to discuss any new themes arising from the transcripts, and incorporated these themes into the coding framework over the course of the analysis.

Interpretation and reporting

NVivo is helpful for coding and managing large amounts of qualitative material. Some of its functionality can also support the development of matrices to look at patterns emerging across key themes. The research team collaboratively explored the key themes that emerged through the analysis. This enabled the team to collectively reflect on the key themes emerging, and helped inform the writing of this report.

NVivo allowed the research team to count both the number of references to themes but also the number of survivors who reported that theme. The team used this quantitative data and its interpretive analysis to identify and report on the key themes emerging in the transcripts.

The report brings together quantitative data from the NVivo coding process, with the research teams’ content knowledge and understanding of the transcripts. The collaborative approach to the analysis was designed to reduce individual biases and judgements in order to present impartial reporting of survivors’ experiences of abuse in care.