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Explore the sample project
A sample project is provided with the software to demonstrate the key features of NVivo. This topic explains what is in the sample project, how to access it and how you can use it to explore and experiment.
In this topic
Overview
The Environmental Change Down East sample project is provided with the NVivo software.
The sample project illustrates many of the key features of NVivo and includes examples of the different types of source materials that you can bring into NVivo—for example, documents, PDFs, audio and video sources.
The source materials in this sample project are drawn from a two year study (2008-2009) undertaken by researchers from the Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment at the Duke University Marine Lab in Beaufort, N.C. This study documented community perceptions of development and land-use change on coastal communities in the Down East area of Carteret County, North Carolina, USA.
How do I access the sample project?
You can create your own copy of the sample project at any time. You can create as many copies as you need—for example, you might create a copy of the sample project to experiment with coding and then create a fresh copy to experiment with queries.
To create a copy of the sample project:
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Do one of the following:
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On the Welcome to NVivo window, click Create a copy of the sample project
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Choose File > Create Copy of Sample Project.
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(Optional) Change the name of the sample project file or choose to save it in a different location.
What can I do in the sample project?
You can use the sample project to explore and experiment—see how a real project can be structured and experiment with NVivo's powerful analysis tools. You can explore:
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Source materials—there is a dataset of survey responses and a dataset containing Twitter data. There are also documents and PDFs (containing interview transcripts, news articles and web pages), audio and video recordings, and pictures of the Down East area.
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Memos—the memos were used to communicate within the research team, and document the progress of the project.
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Node structures—there are nodes for themes, and case nodes for people and places. There are also nodes for interview/survey questions and Twitter hashtags that were created by auto coding. Try adding your own nodes and then experiment with coding the content of documents, datasets, videos and other types of sources.
Experiment with queries and visualizations—for example, you can:
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Run the queries that are set up in the project—the project has saved queries of all types. You can also create your own queries and experiment with query criteria.
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Generate a hierarchy chart to see patterns of distribution—for example, you can use a tree map to compare the distribution of coding across thematic nodes.
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Select a source and create an explore diagram to see how it is connected to other project items
You can also use the sample project to see how:
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Folders can be used to organize source materials, node structures, queries and maps
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Source classifications can be used to store information (including bibliographical data) about the sources in the project
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Case classifications can be used to store information about people and places in the project