Qualitative analysis of school-based mental health

The PLoS One Gauteng protocol uses a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design to guide a QI intervention for four secondary schools, and Evidano can operationalize the protocol’s qualitative pipeline to accelerate coding, cross-segment comparison, and stakeholder outputs.

• The protocol targets a quantitative sample of n = 440 from an estimated population of ≈6, 042 across four schools, with ≈20 SBST interviews and results expected January 2027.
• Validated instruments include the PHQ-A, GAD-7, ITQ-CA, and PEARLS, with analysis planned in SPSS 30.0.0 and NVivo 15 using Colaizzi’s phenomenological framework.
• Evidano ingests surveys, auto-transcribes audio with PII redaction, supports AI-assisted coding with audit trails compatible with Colaizzi steps, and produces stakeholder-ready visuals and exportable codebooks.

The Fast take: Dyani et al. published a protocol on 16 July 2026 describing a sequential explanatory mixed-methods QI intervention to strengthen SBSTs in four Gauteng secondary schools.

• Study design: quantitative survey (sample size target 440, population ≈6, 042) then qualitative interviews (≈20 SBST members) then an intervention pilot/pre-post (target n≈206).
• Key tools: PHQ-A, GAD-7, ITQ-CA, PEARLS; analysis with SPSS 30.0.0 and NVivo 15; Colaizzi framework for phenomenology.
• Read the protocol: PLoS One.

The study analyzes human experiences using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design that first measures prevalence and correlates with validated screens, then explains patterns through in-depth SBST interviews and a scoping review.

• Quantitative signals (for example, elevated PHQ-A or GAD-7 scores by grade or school location) guide purposive sampling for qualitative interviews.
• NVivo 15 will support coding and Colaizzi’s seven-step phenomenological analysis to produce themes grounded in lived experience.
• Triangulation: survey then scoping review then interviews are used to design a context-specific QI intervention and a Phase 2 pre-post pilot uses the same validated instruments to estimate change.

• Statistical safeguards noted in the protocol include mixed-effects models or cluster-robust standard errors, multivariable regression, and ANOVA with p<0.05 plus effect sizes and confidence intervals.

This 7-step workflow reproduces the protocol’s qualitative analysis in weeks using Evidano and the protocol’s validated instruments.

1. Import surveys (CSV/Excel) into Evidano and tag strata (school, grade, age, ACEs).

2. Auto-transcribe interview audio, apply custom dictionary for local terms and redaction.

3. Run initial thematic extraction, review and refine AI-suggested codes into a codebook.

4. Apply codebook across transcripts and generate code frequency and co-occurrence matrices.

5. Produce cross-segment comparisons (urban vs township, by grade) and extract illustrative quotes.

6. Export NVivo-compatible reports and a one-page policy brief for SBST and Department of Education stakeholders.

7. Iterate after the pilot: update the codebook and run pre-post comparisons to measure change.

The protocol and this guidance emphasize that research screening is non-diagnostic and must be paired with clinical pathways and on-site support.

• Ensure parental consent and assent workflows and data minimization for minors as the protocol specifies.
• Keep an audit trail for decisions, and use Evidano exports to document governance and consent procedures.

Combining validated quantitative screens with rapid AI-enabled qualitative analysis shortens the policy feedback loop and produces usable recommendations faster for SBST interventions like the Gauteng protocol.

See the PLoS One protocol for full methods: PLoS One.

Ready to try this pipeline on your transcripts and surveys? Try Evidano for free.