The Sort and Sift, Think and Shift qualitative data analysis method, created by Ray Maietta and his consulting team at ResearchTalk Inc. (Alison Hamilton, Paul Mihas, Kevin Swartout, Jeff Petruzzelli and Kristin Black) is an iterative process in which analysts dive into data to understand its content, dimensions, and properties, and then step back to assess what they have learned to direct next stages of analysis and to fit findings with current conversations in the field. The method is a data-driven process that is both flexible and fluid. Data content is directive as it helps researchers determine what to do when. The goal of the process is to arrive at an evidence-based meeting point that is a hybrid story of data content and researcher knowledge.

The course prepares researchers at two different points of their analysis to use the Sort and Sift method.

• First, researchers starting analysis on a project will learn the Sort and Sift method and how to apply the tools from the beginning to the end of the project.
• Second, researchers who began analysis via different means will benefit from being exposed to tools they can use to gain traction and direction in their analysis.

The Sort and Sift method is built on a foundation of core principles that guide your analysis process and features a set of tools that you can introduce to any qualitative project. The focus of the course is on learning the what, when, why and how of each tool. Integrating these tools into your work will help you connect, or re-connect, with the depth of meaning in your data documents and ignite, or re-ignite, your motivation for the work.

Using the Sort and Sift method results in the following benefits:

1. Improving the quality of your work
2. Pursuing different analytic pathways as you look at data from different angles and vantage points
3. Bringing new elements to your discoveries
4. Assessing alignment with existing work in your field