How To create a research project in ATLAS.ti In 3 Easy Steps

The World Wide Web is actually a treasure trove of information on just about anything and everything. Perhaps you would like to know more about how to create a research project in ATLAS.ti. A number of other people have the same interest. It’s not hard to do when you know how. Perhaps this article could possibly make it simpler for you to reach your goals regarding creating a research project in Atlas.ti. To learn more about how to create a research project in ATLAS.ti, just continue reading here.

The initial step to be taken is to create a folder on your Dekstop (or My Documents or anywhere you feel comfortable) and copy all your files into this folder. You will need to get this because it is easier to manage the files (containing your precious data) if they are in the same folder. This holds true once you have assigned them to the ATLAS.ti program as primary documents (this will be discussed in Steps 2 and 3 below), you will be able to retrieve the files directly from the ATLAS.ti program without having to open each individual files. You need to carefully avoid having your files at different locations e.g. some on the Desktop, some on the pendrive, etc.

It’ll be very important to finish this first step correctly, completely and well. If for any reason you do not complete it correctly, then the files may not be able to be retrieved directly from the ATLAS.ti program and you will need to open the individual files each time you need to refer to it.

The 2nd step will be to run the ATLAS.ti program and assign all the files (in the folder that you have created at Step 1 above) to the ATLAS.ti loader. The files, once assigned correctly, are then referred to as ‘primary documents’. Items that you will need to avoid here are assigning the wrong files or assigning files located at different locations. Of course, these could be minimised if you have followed Step 1 above. And you will also want to avoid clicking the ‘assign new item’ twice, as it may lead to you having the same files twice in your project. Eventually, it will take you time to check on the double files and delete one of each of the same files.

The 3rd step is saving the ATLAS.ti project (called ‘hermeneutic unit’ or ‘hu’) in the same folder that you have earlier saved all your files. This is the same folder which you have created at Step 1. This is very important because if you save it correctly, the ‘virtual link’ will have been created between the ATLAS.ti program and your files, and you will be able to retrieve all your files from within the ATLAS.ti program itself. You will not need to open the individual files each time you need to refer to them. Should you need to backup your project at a different location, e.g. pendrive or external harddisk, you just need to save the whole folder (containing the ATLAS.ti hu and all your files) onto the pendrive or external harddisk and carry it with you.

Follow the steps just as spelled out above and everything should go well. You’ll have handled creating a research project in ATLAS.ti easily and rapidly be now on to other things. Just continue with the stages in order, for the reasons as explained, while carefully avoiding the traps, problems and potential mistakes mentioned. Then enjoy the fruits and benefits of having creating a research project in ATLAS.ti that you will have earned by your time and effort.

About Ani Munirah

Ani Munirah Mohamad is a senior lecturer at School of Law, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, Malaysia. For research collaboration, she may be contacted at animunirah [at] uum.edu.my
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2 Responses to How To create a research project in ATLAS.ti In 3 Easy Steps

  1. Chairozila says:

    Hey…great website of knowledge. Any training in K.L. this year? I’m from UKM. Got myself confused with the software usage already

    • Ani Munirah says:

      Hi there, J, right? 🙂 I remember you, it was indeed a nice and informative training by Dr. Suzanne we went exactly 1 year ago (February 2010). Thanks for visiting my blog. I will let you know if we’ve got any trainings in KL this year.

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