Nvivo Versions
Floriana Grundy
NVivo is a qualitative data analysis (QDA) computer software package produced by Lumivero (formerly called QSR International). NVivo is used across a diverse range of fields, including social sciences such as anthropology, psychology, communication, sociology, as well as fields such as forensics, tourism, criminology and marketing.
NVivo is intended to help users organize and analyze non-numerical or unstructured data. Its developers state that it helps qualitative researchers to organize, analyze and find insights in unstructured or qualitative data like interviews, open-ended survey responses, journal articles, social media and web content, where deep levels of analysis on small or large volumes of data are required.[1]
The software allows users to classify, sort and arrange information; examine relationships in the data; and combine analysis with linking, shaping, searching and modeling. The software can identify trends and cross-examine information in various ways using its search engine and query functions.[2] NVivo accommodates a wide range of research methods, including network and organizational analysis, action or evidence-based research, discourse analysis, grounded theory, conversation analysis, ethnography, literature reviews, phenomenology, mixed methods research and the Framework methodology.[3]
Tom Richards and Lyn Richards developed NUD*IST (Non-numerical Unstructured Data Indexing, Searching and Theorizing), a software program designed for detailed analysis of unstructured textual data, with the initial version for DEC-10 in 1981.[4][5][6] In 1997, an updated version of NUD*IST was named N4.
In 1994, Qualitative Solutions and Research Pty Ltd was set up at and then spun out of La Trobe University to support the development and marketing of NUD*IST, and shortly after the release of N4 (NUD*IST Rev 4) it began working on a ground-up redesigned sibling product, with many more features, initially named NUD*IST Alive then branded as NVivo.[7]
Development of the original product continue alongside the new one, with the final version, N6, being consolidated into NVivo 7 in 2006. NVivo for Teams, which allows multiple users on a server to work on a project at the same time, was first released in 2010. NVivo was released for Mac in 2014. Mac versions of the software tend to have fewer features.[8]
NVivo versions are identified by a major number (the number before the decimal point, e.g. version 11 or 12, or release 1) and a minor number (the number after the decimal point, e.g. the 5 in version 12.5 or release 1.5). See Identify NVivo version number below to identify the version number of your installation.
Added warnings to new-project and convert-project dialog boxes to make users aware that projects created or opened in newer major NVivo versions cannot then be opened in earlier major versions. Version compatibility
With NVivo (Release 1.0) you log into myLumivero when you run the program, giving easy access to your account and cloud-based modules. For first-time users, myLumivero login also provides seamless activation. See myLumivero for more.
The new NVivo has a cleaner, simpler interface, with a modern look. It includes a new Modules tab, for cloud-based add-ons, and a new code panel (see below). Visualizations use a new, up-to-date color palette.
NVivo 14 Windows is backwards compatible, meaning that you can open projects created in earlier major versions in later major versions. When opening a project in a later major version, users are prompted to convert the project to the newer version's format. The original project file is copied and the copied file converted, leaving the original intact.
If your project data consists of only Plain text (txt), Microsoft Word 97 - 2003 Document (doc), and Microsoft Word Document (docx) files (no PDFs, datasets, audio, or video) and you need to work on a project with different versions of NVivo, you can use the REFI-QDA (.qdpx) file format to exchange data. For information on using REFI-QDA format and its limitations for non-text data, see REFI-QDA Standard.
With NVivo 14 Collaboration cloud, the project owners can upload an NVivo project to the collaboration cloud which can be downloaded by authorized team members to work on their local drive. All the team members' local changes are constantly synched to the cloud project. Team members whether they are on Mac or Windows can work simultaneously on both projects, eliminating the need for project conversion or merging.
This feature allows project owners to upload projects and manage access permissions from the NVivo client. Users can see other team members' project updates concurrently as they are synced automatically. For more information, see Collaboration Cloud with NVivo 14.
NVivo qualitative data analysis software is now published by Luminvero. It was originally one of the flagship QDAS programs supporting most of the features and functions listed in the QDAS Overview Section. It is adequate for focused techniques but is oriented toward serving as a core of a qualitative project's data analysis and management.
All current version is NVivo 14, for PC and Mac versions. NVivo Collaboration is for collaborative data analysis. Data is stored on QSR's cloud. (QSR's cloud storage has security features, but inquire with JH IT Risk office before storing JHM data with PHI. Consider the installation on JHU SAFE Desktop instead.)
Nvivo Pro 12 is installed on PCs in the Data Services Computer Lab on A-Level of the Milton S. Eisenhower Library on the Homewood campus. Academic and Student pricing is available for purchasing nVivo. (Note that projects from current Nvivo 1.6 are not compatible with Nvivo Pro 12.)
Teamwork and collaboration: Shared and simultaneous access to an NVivo project is easiest with NVivo Collaboration Cloud. JHU only licenses the individual user version on the SAFE Desktop platform, Sharing access from individual licenses requires more coordination among team members. In both cases, however, developing operating procedures around shared access is crucial. If working on separate copies of files, they must be merged carefully using import procedures (through vers. 12. Support for other versions can be found here.) Protocols include coding naming conventions, initials to distinguish each other's work, and logging major version changes or other project milestones. Here is a set of videos from Duke University on preparing for teamwork.
Storage & Backup: NVivo maintains associated text and A/V file types associated within a project bundle, appearing as a single file on the PC. Bundles kept on cloud storage, such as OneDrive, or even a network server, may be prone to corruption from file syncing and remote access. [more info] Projects should be accessed from a single desktop or laptop. This can make collaborative access to files challenging, so consider NVivo Teams for such cases. It is important to back up the project file ideally to another drive or cloud storage. Cloud storage is fine for backup copies, as long as it is not the accessed version [more info].
Data Security: NVivo has password protection but the program does not encrypt the data itself. Project data is stored on the user's computer by default. the company does not provide sufficient information about whether security for use of the desktop version is sufficient for human subject personal and health identifiers. Source audio/video and transcripts stored with a project on your workstation are not encrypted. For sensitive source data with personal or health identifiers, consider storing and accessing projects with NVivo on JHU's SAFE Desktop platform, which can be access freely by JHU faculty, staff, and approved students. If working collaboratively on a dataset, manage the shared password securely. Consider password management software such as LastPass or 1Password. NVivo Collaboration Cloud does provide better encryption and access controls for data stored on QSR's cloud. JHU's IT Risk office has not evaluated that security (to our knowledge), so use for PHI and HIPAA covered data may require their review before investing in their collaboration product.
Exporting and importing projects: NVivo can import projects from ATLAS.ti. NVivo can export the REFI-QDA Standard format (.qdpx) which allows importing projects to ATLAS.ti and certain other QDA software. Some project items are not exported. [More info from QSR]
If you Install NVIVO on a machine that already has NVIVO 20 both versions will remain on the machine, running side by side and could create conflicts. Please Deactivate and uninstall NVIVO 20 before installing NVIVO 14 (the numbering of NVIVO has changed, and 14 is newer than 20).
Please deactivate the Nvivo license on a particular computer before uninstalling Nvivo. For example, if you get a new computer then you should deactivate the Nvivo license on the old computer before installing and activating on the new one.
NVivo qualitative data analysis software is available to MSU faculty, staff, students, emeritus and graduate teaching assistants via an MSU site-wide license. NVivo may be installed on personally-owned or MSU-owned devices. Follow the steps below to download.
To download release 1.5.1, click on the BIG BLUE DOWNLOAD BUTTON.
Previous versions, please look right below the button for the text "Download Older Versions of NVivo". If you need an older version, you will need to contact the UIT Service Desk to get a key for the older version.
IMPORTANT: If you are not prompted with the box shown above, go to MSU Linkedin Learning. Enter your NetID and Password when prompted. When the Lynda page opens enter Learning NVivo into the Search field to go to tutorial.
NVivo software is designed to help researchers organize, code, and analyze qualitative and mixed methods research data. NVivo, versions 12 and 14, is under site license at the University of Toronto and is available to current faculty, staff, and students at no cost.
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