The CAQDAS (Computer Aided Qualitative Data Analysis Software) identifies software packages, created to support qualitative research. Some researches have confidence on software convenience, effectiveness and easiness, but others have concerns about using this kind of tool. There is some discussion regarding computers usage to support qualitative research, establishing an opportune and necessary debate about this subject. The purpose of this essay is to present and analyze the main concerns related to computers usage in qualitative data analysis. Different opinions and arguments are presented, considering the pros and cons of CAQDAS, based on a bibliographic review focused in four main points, related to contradictory researchers' opinions: the effectiveness of software data management; the increase of researcher closeness with data; the easiness of researchers' communication process; the possibility of bias in the analytical process. It is discussed too some recent Brazilian experiences in CAQDAS usage, to illustrate the points discussed herein.
Qualitative research; Data analysis; Computer; Software; CAQDAS
