Kvalikirstu 2, a new open source application for processing qualitative textual data at ingest phase.

The Finnish Social Science Data Archive (FSD) has released Kvalikirstu 2, a new open source application for processing qualitative textual data at ingest phase. The application was developed as part of the FSD project Crossing Boundaries with Tools and Services (C-BoTS) funded by the Academy of Finland.

How does the application benefit data support services?

The features of Kvalikirstu 2 include a graphical user interface for processing data and ODT file support. With Kvalikirstu 2, many of the phases of data processing, such as file conversion and categorisation of background information, can be streamlined.

“Kvalikirstu 2 allows users to make mass changes to data files. This saves a lot of time, for example, when files don’t have to be renamed one by one. The user interface is intuitive and quick to learn,” states Research Assistant Henna Räsänen.

How does the application benefit users of data?

Kvalikirstu 2 also helps secondary users of data by producing an HTML index based on the background information of the data file. The index is helpful in browsing the data, and it includes a search interface which allows secondary users to search for specific words or phrases within the data files. Data files can also be sorted according to the background information provided.

Kvalikirstu 2 has been localised into English and other translations can already be added. All documentation on the software is in English. According to the developers Lipsanen and Saaninkoski, Kvalikirstu 2 was developed with customisation in mind, and it can be easily modified to fit the needs of other CESSDA repositories (see a list of CESSDA members and partners).

“The repository-specific functionality is isolated into a plugin that is responsible for, among other things, processing metadata. Other data repositories can adapt the plugin to their needs, and the main programme can still be updated easily,” states Software Developer Jukka Lipsanen.

More information

• Kvalikirstu 2 is available on Bitbucket as open source, and it can be adapted for use in other CESSDA repositories.
• Kvalikirstu 2 source code on Bitbucket
• Information Services Specialist Jarkko Päivärinta, e-mail: firstname.surname [at] tuni.fi
• Research Assistant Henna Räsänen, e-mail: firstname.surname [at] tuni.fi
• Software Developers Jukka Lipsanen and Saara Saaninkoski developed the application. The development team received help for designing and testing the application from Research Assistant Henna Räsänen and other FSD personnel who process qualitative files.

From left to right: Research Assistant Henna Räsänen and Software Developers Jukka Lipsanen and Saara Saaninkoski.