質性研究主要是經由訪談、參與觀察和文獻中所收集的資料，以分析並詮釋社會中存有諸多現象的研究，從事質性研究最大的挑戰性在於要從龐雜的資料尋找出意義所在並為其實質內容建立出理論架構。然而，研究者在面對龐大的資料處理時，必然感到相當棘手，此時專為質性研究設計的軟體便可幫助研究者從事質性分析。 NVivo是一套以編碼為基礎（Code-based）來協助質性分析的套裝軟體，它結合了電腦強大的索引搜尋及協助形塑理論能力，以有效地管理研究過程中所蒐集到的非數值資料，且具有彈性便利的編碼、解碼和註解的功能，可讓研究者隨時將資料重組並反覆檢證假設的組型，協助分析潛藏理論模式和資料間關係。 再者，NVivo結合了目前許多新興的功能，如：超本文（Hyper Text）、多媒體的運用，並可將Excel、Word的資料整合進系統中，使資料的表現方式更加多元化。NVivo的設計可說是十分地符合質性研究的流程處理。因此，本文以質性研究的分析路徑為主軸，來介紹這套質性研究電腦套裝軟體，的功能和應用方式，並將筆者使用的心得引介分享給有志於從事質性研究的學者。

Qualitative research involves the use of non-numbering data--such as interview transcripts, archive documents, and participant observation fieldnotes--to analyze and explain social phenomena. It is a challenge for qualitative researchers to handle a pile of complicated data. “When a workman wishes to do a good job, he must first sharpen his tools,” says Confucius. Likewise, if a qualitative researcher wants to deal with hundreds and thousands pages of data in front of his or her desk, an exquisite tool is essential. With unique tool for qualitative coding and searching, NVivo is powerfully code-based software, which can freely be used to interpret, edit and code complexly qualitative transcripts. It can be created and documented any text as a researcher's ideas launch. Moreover, a researcher can move between a wide range of ways of linking data and ideas that combine processes as the data and the methods are required. Qualitative research is the main theme of this article. Within it, we not only introduce one of the best qualitative software products, NVivo, but also its functions, and main components. Then we conclude the experiences of using this software to share with other qualitative researchers.