NVIVO Overview

  • NVIVO is a multi-functional software system for the development, support and management of qualitative data analysis(QDA) projects. It is used in a wide range of research for handling Non numerical Unstructured Data by processes of Indexing Searching and Theory-building.

  • NVIVO is "Special Request" and "Department" software and therefore UITS only offers limited support for this software.

  • Windows version of NVIVO is currently available in the UITS Student Technology Centers.

NVIVO Program Functionality:

  • Breadth of Functionality: Good
  • NVIVO is not general purpose statistical software. It is a program for the qualitative data analysis(QDA) projects. NVIVO is used for a wide variety of tasks from complex theory-constructing and testing to very quick analysis of small or large bodies of text in focus group summaries or open-ended answers in surveys. It is designed to automate much tedious work, swiftly "auto-coding" text and importing table data, and all processes can be done by command file.
  • Reliability and Robustness: Good
  • There are no known bugs in NVIVO. The vendor tries to fix the errors as soon as they are reported.
  • State of the Art: Fair
  • The latest version NVIVO is running on UITS computers. This regarded as the best release yet.
  • User Friendliness: Fair
  • NVIVO is not regarded as the most friendly software, or as having the most intuitive command language. However, researchers interested in this type of analysis could use it with a little bit of effort.

NVIVO Help Resources:

  • Network-based help: Fair
  • The vendor's web site has answers to a few basic questions asked about NVIVO.
  • Program's Help System: Fair
  • NVIVO for Windows have a help menu. Thus Menu provides some sort of help in NVIVO computing. For most part reading the manual and talking with a colleague or consultant is the best way to get help with NVIVO program.

NVIVO Program Availability:

  • Windows version of NVIVO is available in the UITS Student Technology Centers. For details, see the Statistics Software Availability Table.
  • UITS may offer this software for personal and departmental purchases. See the Stat/Math Software Buyer's Guide [local access only] for more information.

NVIVO Training and Support:

  • Document Availability: Fair
  • The UITS Stat/Math Center (email: statmath@indiana.edu, 812/855-4724) possess a set of NVIVO documentation for reference. Documents may be purchased directly from the US representative (Scolari Sage Publications Software, Sage Publications Inc., 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320; 805/499-1325).
  • Training Availability: Poor
  • There are no UITS coordinated training available for NVIVO. Those who want to get started with NVIVO may contact the UITS Stat/Math Center. NVIVO is used by a number of faculty at IU as a computing tool in the course they offer.
  • User Group: No
  • There are no local user groups for NVIVO.
  • UITS Consulting Support: Limited Support
  • NVIVO is categorized as a faculty sponsored software for support. That is, instructors who use this software for instruction are responsible for consulting support. However, limited consulting support is available from UITS Stat/Math Center from 9 am to 5 pm (M-F) via phone, email, and for walkins. Appointment is recommended for walkin consulting.
  • Other Consulting Support: Fair
  • Since UITS is providing only limited support for NVIVO students using the software as part of their coursework should contact their instructors first for help. Registered NVIVO users can contact the vendor directly for help. NVIVO users can always turn to their colleagues who are familiar with the software for help.