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Aquad

Software for qualitative data analysis

Wikipedia contributorsAdapted for Fathomly · View authors
1 min read
Source updated May 26, 2026

Aquad (an abbreviation of Analysis of Qualitative Data) is open source computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS). It supports analysis of text, audio, video, and graphical data.

01Features

Aquad provides functions for content analysis, including:

  • Text search: looking for segments in texts
  • Classifying: labeling text, audio, image, and videosdata
  • Writing memos (annotation): inserting annotations linked to parts or whole texts, audios, photos, or videos
  • Word analysis: counting words according to criteria
  • Retrieval by file name, code, keyword, or content: Retrieval of segments according to criteria
  • Tabular analysis: constructing tables combining criteria and arranging data in rows and columns
  • Construction of linkage hypotheses: looking for relationships across data
  • Comparison of cases/files: contrasting coding across files
  • Sequential analysis: objective hermeneutics
  • Comparison of cases by Boolean analysis: critical features and identification of "types" as introduced by Charles Ragin.
  • Export data: quantitative software as R, SPSS, and PSPP for statistical analysis.

Data context

Data can be directly analyzed on the screen (one-step) or outside (two-steps). One-step allows on-screen coding with digitized data. Two-steps allows the user to enter codes on the screen, keeping the documents on the desk or in other means such as cameras, TVs, etc. For instance, two-steps allows the analysis of recordings, diaries, incunabula, or objects without transcribing, taking photos, or scanning them.

Comparison of cases/files by Boolean analysis

Aquad allows comparison of cases/files by "logical minimization", by using its own algorithm and the R package qualitative comparative analysis to determine implicants.

02Versions

The latest available version is Aquad 8, which is available in German, English, and Spanish. Version 7 is also available for download.

Watch videos about AquadExplainers and documentaries on YouTube (opens in a new tab)

Sources and credits

This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article “Aquad”, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.

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