Qualitative Methodology Certified Gold Expert

About this certification program

Become an industry leader with the Gold level certification, designed for seasoned professionals with extensive experience in teaching qualitative methodology. Showcase your deep familiarity with ATLAS.ti and mastery of qualitative research principles. Receive the qualitative methodology expert certification to prove your top-level capabilities as someone who can teach qualitative methodology!

During this certification process, you will need to demonstrate

Profound understanding of ATLAS.ti, including teamwork and applications beyond data analysis
In-depth knowledge of qualitative methodology, including critical evaluation and diverse data analysis approaches

To complete the certification, you will need to submit:

Background information about yourself:

Updated CV
Affiliation with a research institution (document required)
At least one article that discusses or uses qualitative research and that has been submitted to a peer-reviewed journal (can be published within the last 10 years or currently under revision)

Proof of sufficient knowledge of qualitative methodology and ATLAS.ti, which can be demonstrated via one of the following two options:

Certification of completion from any ATLAS.ti premium training
Report of teaching experience that explains how many trainings you have given before, to how many people, what contents did you teach in your trainings, who were the training participants, what challenges you faced and how you overcame them, and what advice you would give to others teaching qualitative methodology and ATLAS.ti in a single training

A sample project (for teaching purposes), including:

A clear research question written in a research diary (memo)
At least one document coded
At least one methodological memo written about the methodology guiding the research
At least one analytic memo written about the analysis methods followed
At least one network created
An explanation in a memo of how at least two analysis tools were used in the project (e.g., code co-occurrence analysis, code-document analysis, etc.)

A syllabus for a training about both qualitative methodology and ATLAS.ti, including:

Clear learning objectives
Outline of teaching contents related to qualitative methodology and ATLAS.ti
Teaching about how to add data to ATLAS.ti
Teaching about how to code data in ATLAS.ti
Teaching about writing memos in ATLAS.ti
Teaching about the creation of networks in ATLAS.ti
Teaching about extracting findings in ATLAS.ti (i.e., using at least two analysis tools)
Teaching about using ATLAS.ti for teamwork
Teaching about other applications of ATLAS.ti in research (e.g., conducting a literature review in ATLAS.ti)
Teaching about qualitative research design (e.g., formulating a research question)
Teaching about at least two methods of qualitative data collection
Teaching about at least two methods of qualitative data analysis
Teaching about critical reflexivity or quality criteria in qualitative research

Presentation slides on qualitative methodology and ATLAS.ti that provide an introduction for new learners:

The presentation slides must be aligned with the syllabus (e.g., covering all of the learning objectives and contents)

Practical exercises for students, including:

How to add data in ATLAS.ti
How to code data in ATLAS.ti
How to write memos in ATLAS.ti
How to create networks in ATLAS.ti
How to extract findings in ATLAS.ti (i.e., how to use at least two analysis tools)
How to use ATLAS.ti for teamwork
How to use ATLAS.ti for other applications in research (e.g., the literature review)
How to design qualitative research (e.g., the elaboration of a research question)
How to collect qualitative data (using at least two data collection methods)
How to analyze qualitative data (using at least two analysis methods)
How to engage in critical reflexivity or assess quality criteria in qualitative research

30-minute virtual oral exam with a senior ATLAS.ti trainer:

Deliver a 15-minute lecture on topics requested by the ATLAS.ti Team concerning qualitative methodology and ATLAS.ti
Answer questions from the senior ATLAS.ti trainer

Please note:

We welcome applications in English or Spanish
All submitted materials must be related to the current version of ATLAS.ti (Windows, Mac, or Web)
ATLAS.ti must be spelled correctly in all submitted materials (i.e., "ATLAS.ti", not "Atlas.ti" or any other variation)

Upon completing the certification, you will receive:

Certificate of Gold Expert in Qualitative Methodology (official certificate from the ATLAS.ti Academy)
Badge of Gold Expert in Qualitative Methodology (official badge from the ATLAS.ti Academy)
Free educational ATLAS.ti Desktop+Web single-user license
Qualification to partner with ATLAS.ti GmbH in future training and consultation projects

FAQ

Do I have to complete a premium training?

No, you are eligible for certification even if you have not completed a premium training. You will be asked to submit a report instead demonstrating your experience with teaching qualitative methodology and ATLAS.ti.

If I pay for the certification, is it guaranteed that I will become certified?

No, it is not guaranteed that you will receive the certificate, but this is simply because we carefully review each application to verify the degree of familiarity with qualitative methodology and teaching these methods together with ATLAS.ti. We also provide detailed feedback to each applicant where we detect there is room for improvement, and everyone has the chance to make revisions and thus complete the certification. Alternatively, we may recommend that an applicant be certified at a lower level than the one they applied to if it is appropriate.

How long does the certification process last?

You will have 60 days to complete the certification. We are also happy to grant you an extension if needed, please write to [email protected] in case you would like to have more time. If we do not receive any communication from you after 60 days, we will assume that you will not complete the certification and will remove your application.

How can I upgrade my Expert Certification level?

Check the requirements for your desired level, and complete the certification process by submitting your updated documents (where necessary) and any additional requirements that were not already met in your current certification level

What is the difference between the Qualitative Methodology Expert Certification and the ATLAS.ti Trainer Certification programs?

At ATLAS.ti, we are eager to support your teaching efforts, which is why have been certifying independent ATLAS.ti trainers for years. The ATLAS.ti Trainer Certification program officially recognizes others' knowledge and expertise in teaching ATLAS.ti. Through many conversations with our trainers and software users, we realized it is also important to recognize others' knowledge and expertise in teaching qualitative methodology. The Qualitative Methodology Expert Certification program thus focuses on assessing one's familiarity and experience with teaching qualitative methods and how methodology guides the use of ATLAS.ti in a research project.

How can I contact the ATLAS.ti Team?