Using metaphor to analyse qualitative data: vulcans and humans in software development

This paper develops an earlier study which uncovered tensions in the adoption and evolution of Software Quality Management Systems. It reports on the use of a metaphor-based qualitative analysis method, an innovation in this field. We describe a case where applying a metaphor to a set of field study situations resulted in the development of more general statements that were shown to be applicable to a new situation. We conclude that using a metaphor to interpret qualitative data can provide new insights that may be more general than the original individual observations. This is a significant finding in this field.