What QDAS | Qualitative Data Analysis Services does

QDAS (Qualitative Data Analysis Services Ltd) is a UK-based training and consultancy company specializing in qualitative research methodology and CAQDAS (Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis) software training. Founded by Christina Silver — a recognized authority in the CAQDAS field since 1998 who also serves as Director of the CAQDAS Networking Project at the University of Surrey — the company is headquartered in Gillingham, UK, and serves individual academic researchers, graduate and postgraduate students, methods teachers, government researchers and policy makers, and commercial/industry analysts globally. QDAS trains users of NVivo, MAXQDA, and ATLAS.ti in a vendor-neutral methodology framework rather than software mechanics alone.

The company's central intellectual asset is the Five-Level QDA method, co-developed by Silver with Nick Woolf and protected as a registered trademark in both the European Community (Registration Number 015596976) and the United States (Serial Number 87080134). The method separates analytic strategies (what researchers plan to do) from software tactics (how tools accomplish it). Supporting IP includes a Routledge-published book series (Qualitative Analysis Using ATLAS.ti, MAXQDA, and NVivo), step-by-step video tutorial libraries for each CAQDAS package, and 2025 content covering Generative AI in qualitative research.

QDAS operates a professional services revenue model with no publicly disclosed pricing. Revenue streams comprise bespoke organizational training, open live online workshops with small cohorts, on-demand recorded workshops, project consultancy, coding and analysis services, and one-to-one coaching. Distribution is primarily global online delivery supplemented by onsite corporate engagements. Go-to-market is event-driven and content-led: blog posts, a YouTube channel (@ChristinaSilverPhD), and social media presence across LinkedIn, X, Bluesky, Instagram, and Facebook are paired with partnerships for workshop distribution through the Social Research Association, Instats, Research Accelerator, and academic conferences. No external investment or M&A activity is recorded.

Name

QDAS | Qualitative Data Analysis Services

Legal name

Qualitative Data Analysis Services Ltd

Website

https://qdas.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

QDAS is a UK-based training and consultancy firm teaching qualitative research methodology and CAQDAS software (NVivo, MAXQDA, ATLAS.ti) to academic researchers, graduate students, and commercial analysts via workshops, bespoke training, and coaching built around its proprietary Five-Level QDA method.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Qualitative Research Training & Consulting

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Computer Training (611420)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

QA, Test Automation & Software Quality (Manual/Automated Testing, Performance) (EDABAFAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Testing, QA & Release/Deployment Enablement (BPAEAAAN)

Keywords

• Qualitative data analysis
• CAQDAS training
• Research methodology consulting
• Qualitative research workshops
• NVivo MAXQDA training

Headquarters

HQ city

Gillingham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Services: QDAS generates revenue through bespoke training workshops, open workshops (live and on-demand), consultancy support, analytical/coding services, and one-to-one coaching in qualitative data analysis methods and CAQDAS software.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

QDAS is a training and consultancy company that delivers qualitative data analysis (CAQDAS) methodology and software training. Services include bespoke training, open live and on-demand workshops, project consultancy, coding and analysis, and one-to-one coaching for researchers using NVivo, MAXQDA, and ATLAS.ti. All offerings are organized around the proprietary Five-Level QDA Method, which separates analytic strategies from software tactics.

Product overview

QDAS (Qualitative Data Analysis Services) is a training and consultancy company, not a software product company. Their portfolio consists of educational and advisory services organized around the Five-Level QDA methodology they co-developed. The core offering is Bespoke Training and Open Workshops that teach qualitative research methods and CAQDAS software (NVivo, MAXQDA, ATLAS.ti). Supporting services include Project Consultancy, Coding and Analysis support, and One-to-one Coaching. Educational products include the Five-Level QDA Method (a pedagogical framework), Video Tutorial series for each supported CAQDAS package, and a Book Series published by Routledge. The company emphasizes methodological integrity, ensuring analysis is driven by research strategy rather than software capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bespoke Training Customized workshops in qualitative research methods and CAQDAS software (NVivo, MAXQDA, ATLAS.ti), delivered online or onsite for teams and organizations ranging from complete beginners to advanced users.
• Open Workshops Focussed, live, online workshops with small groups and limited availability, emphasizing personal interaction and support. Topics include Integrating AI into Qualitative Research, AI-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis, and Reflexive Thematic Analysis using NVivo.
• Project Consultancy Project planning and support that helps research teams apply qualitative data analysis methods and software to achieve their research goals, including method selection, analytic strategy design, and tool configuration.
• Coding and Analysis Coding, analysis, and reporting services that fully leverage the value of clients' qualitative data, uncover insights, and produce deeper understanding of the information held in the data.
• One-to-One Coaching Individual coaching in data analysis methods and techniques for qualitative research, including how to use CAQDAS software effectively throughout a research project.
• Five-Level QDA Method A proprietary methodology/framework for harnessing the power of qualitative data analysis software packages, developed by Christina Silver and Nick Woolf. It separates analytic strategies from software tactics and is independent of methodology, software package, or mode of learning.
• Five-Level QDA Video Tutorials for NVivo Step-by-step instructional NVivo video tutorials that supplement the textbook Qualitative Analysis Using NVivo: The Five-Level QDA Method, organized into Component Orientation, Analytic Planning Worksheet, and Case Illustration videos.
• Five-Level QDA Video Tutorials for MAXQDA Step-by-step instructional MAXQDA video tutorials that supplement the textbook Qualitative Analysis Using MAXQDA: The Five-Level QDA Method.
• Five-Level QDA Video Tutorials for ATLAS.ti Step-by-step instructional ATLAS.ti video tutorials that supplement the textbook Qualitative Analysis Using ATLAS.ti: The Five-Level QDA Method, organized into Component Orientation, Analytic Planning Worksheet, and Case Illustration videos.
• Five-Level QDA Book Series Routledge-published textbook series applying the Five-Level QDA method to ATLAS.ti, MAXQDA, and NVivo, comprising the volumes Qualitative Analysis Using ATLAS.ti, Qualitative Analysis Using MAXQDA, and Qualitative Analysis Using NVivo.

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Social Research Association (SRA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerQDAS collaborates with the SRA to deliver workshops on AI-assisted qualitative data analysis. Christina Silver has delivered sessions and keynotes at SRA conferences, including the annual conference where she co-presented with Steve Wright on CAQDAS developments.
• CAQDAS Networking Project (University of Surrey)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristina Silver serves as Director of the CAQDAS Networking Project at University of Surrey. The project raises awareness and builds capacity in methodologically appropriate use of CAQDAS tools and qualitative AI. QDAS content is shared via the CAQDAS blog and QualAI pages.
• Research AcceleratorminorGTM or Marketing PartnerQDAS delivers workshops through Research Accelerator, a partner organization providing professional development for researchers.
• InstatsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerQDAS delivers workshops through Instats (International Stats Network), including seminars on AI-assisted qualitative analysis.
• International Creative Research Methods ConferenceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChristina Silver delivered a plenary talk at the conference on Generative-AI for qualitative research at Università della Svizzera Italiana in Lugano, Switzerland.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• VERBI Software (MAXQDA): VERBI is the maker of MAXQDA, one of the three CAQDAS platforms QDAS supports, and runs MAXQDA training plus the MAXDAYS conference where Christina Silver delivered a keynote. It competes with QDAS in CAQDAS training but is tied to a single software platform.
• National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM): NCRM is a UK-based research council-funded centre providing training and resources in social science research methods, including qualitative methods. It is comparable to QDAS as a UK-based qualitative and social research methods training provider, though funded and structured very differently.
• ATLAS.ti Scientific Software: ATLAS.ti is the maker of the ATLAS.ti qualitative analysis software, one of the three CAQDAS tools in QDAS's curriculum, and runs its own training and certification programmes. It is a direct CAQDAS training peer, again aligned to a single platform rather than vendor-independent.
• QSR International: QSR International is the maker of NVivo, one of the three CAQDAS platforms QDAS trains on, and runs its own official NVivo training and certification programmes. It is a direct competitor in CAQDAS training, differentiated from QDAS by being vendor-aligned rather than vendor-independent.
• ResearchTalk: ResearchTalk is a research-methods training and events company running qualitative research workshops and webinars, and is referenced as a QDAS partner through which 'Integrating AI into Qualitative Research Appropriately' and similar workshops are promoted. It is the closest service-line comparable: live, online, small-group qualitative research training.

Emerging players

• Quirkos: Quirkos is a smaller qualitative data analysis software package with an emphasis on accessibility, offering tutorials and training resources for qualitative researchers. It is comparable as a niche CAQDAS vendor overlapping with the same qualitative-research training niche QDAS serves.
• Delve: Delve is an emerging qualitative analysis tool with built-in AI features and provides tutorials and onboarding for qualitative researchers. It is comparable as a newer CAQDAS-adjacent platform intersecting with the same researcher audience QDAS trains, particularly in the AI-assisted coding space.

Others

• Methodspace (SAGE): Methodspace is a SAGE-hosted community and blog network for researchers discussing research methods, including qualitative methodology. It is thematically adjacent to QDAS as a destination for research-methods conversation, though it is an editorial/community property rather than a paid-training competitor.

Regional players

• Research in Practice: Research in Practice is a UK-based organisation that supports evidence-informed practice through research and learning resources, including training for researchers and practitioners. It is comparable as a UK-focused research training provider, but serves a different end-user base (social work / practice) than QDAS's academic and policy audience.

Broad incumbents

• SAGE Research Methods: SAGE Research Methods is a large publisher-hosted platform containing books, datasets, case studies, and instructional content across qualitative and quantitative research methods. It is comparable as a broader, more generalist research-methods training and reference platform that overlaps with QDAS's educational content business.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Christina_QDAS
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ChristinaSilverPhD
• Facebookfacebook.com/QDAservices
• LinkedInuk.linkedin.com/company/qdas
• Instagraminstagram.com/christina_qdas

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about QDAS | Qualitative Data Analysis Services