Search

In this book review I closely examine the text analysis method GABEK® developed by Josef ZELGER. The acronym stands for Ganzheitliche Bewältigung von Komplexität, which can be translated to: holistic coping with complexity. Most GABEK® projects are about solving a specific problem, or questions such as the introduction of a new working time model, urban development, or success factors of innovation. Other possible applications have been developed over the years: for example, simulated conversations, analysis of dreams, and works of art. The methods can also be used for basic research projects for the purpose of developing and testing hypothesis and for developing theories. The book is extensive and brings together contributions from the 30-year history of development of GABEK®. As a reference work, it is a milestone for anyone who wants to use the method. At the conclusion of this article, I offer some insights from my own use of GABEK®. In diesem Review findet eine Auseinandersetzung mit dem Buch von Josef ZELGER über das Textanalyseverfahren GABEK® (Ganzheitliche Bewältigung von Komplexität) statt. Bei den meisten GABEK®-Projekten geht es um die Lösung eines konkreten Problems wie z.B. die Einführung eines neuen Arbeitszeitmodells oder um Stadtentwicklungsprojekte, die Ermittlung von Erfolgsfaktoren für Innovation u.Ä.m. Im Laufe der Jahre haben sich weitere Anwendungsmöglichkeiten entwickelt, zum Beispiel der simulierte Dialog, die Analyse von Träumen oder Kunstwerken. Die Methode kann auch für wissenschaftsnahe Projekte zur Hypothesenentwicklung und -prüfung sowie zur Theoriebildung eingesetzt werden. Das Buch ist umfangreich und versammelt Beiträge aus der 30-jährigen Entwicklungsgeschichte. Als Nachschlagewerk ist es ein Meilenstein für alle, die die Methode erlernen möchte. Dies lässt sich am besten erreichen, indem man sie anwendet. Das Buch kann hierzu als Referenz dienen. Ich schließe den Artikel mit einem kurzen Erfahrungsbericht.

Diffuse as well as specific information is not solely found in organizations, but it also sprawls all over the Internet. In our article we will show how scattered linguistic knowledge can be selected, processed and structured with the aid of the software WinRelan to promote a holistic understanding of complex social phenomena and to facilitate decision-making that is accepted and supported by those concerned. Based on this problem-oriented background the method GABEK (GAnzheitliche BEwältigung von Komplexität—holistic processing of complexity, © Josef Zelger, Innsbruck, 1990-2002) was developed and implemented in the software program WinRelan (Windows Relation Analysis © Josef Zelger, Innsbruck).1WinRelan was developed for GABEK-applications by Josef SCHÖNEGGER and Josef ZELGER, Innsbruck 1991—2002. WinRelan facilitates the analysis of large unstructured and controversial everyday language data samples. Automated, computerized steps of data processing are accompanied by the semantic work of the researcher. WinRelan offers different PC-supported operations, whereby each of these procedures leads to the integration and linkage of the multi layered distributed knowledge of the people concerned. Results are conceptual knowledge systems, empirical generalizations, cognitive concepts, causal assumptions and value systems in the form of hierarchically ordered text groups, association graphs, evaluation profiles, cause-effect structures, relevance lists, etc. The procedure is applied in theory construction as well as for the purpose of providing orientation and in preparing decision processes in organizations. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0202272, Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung / Forum: Qualitative Social Research, Vol 3, No 2 (2002): Using Technology in the Qualitative Research Process