Qualitative researchers have nothing to fear from computers, advocates Brian Pateman

It is only relatively recently that computers have been available to assist qualitative researchers in their work, mainly due to the inadequacies of the technology. Now. given the cheapness and efficiency of the modern personal computer, they are considered an essential tool for several tasks that researchers undertake, including word processing transcripts of interviews, producing final reports, and searching electronic databases such as CINAHL and MEDLINE.