The COSTAQDA Software as a Tool for Enhancing Evidence Synthesis in Policy and Decision-Making
Type:
Demo Session
Category:
Online
Place:
Online 3
Date and time:
13:30 to 15:00 on 02/12/2025
COSTAQDA facilitates core qualitative analysis tasks such as coding, organizing, and theme identification while ensuring consistent data interpretation. A key feature is its integration of the Critical Assessment Skills Programme (CASP) framework, enabling users to conduct critical appraisals and mitigate selection bias, ensuring that only high-quality evidence informs the synthesis process. Additionally, the Local Citation Network (LCN) visualizes citation and impact maps, helping users identify influential studies and research trends, thus strengthening the evidence base.
COSTAQDA’s automated sentiment analysis through emotion coding adds depth to findings, particularly in mixed-methods research. Its Inter-Coder Reliability Tests using Cohen’s Kappa ensure consistency across multiple users, enhancing the reliability of coding processes. By simplifying data analysis tasks, COSTAQDA supports systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and other evidence-based methods, helping users draw reliable conclusions and drive informed decision-making in academic, business, and policy contexts. COSTAQDA represents a significant advancement in Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS), addressing challenges in evidence synthesis and supporting the integrity of evidence-based research.