Qualitative analysis coding and categorizing
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Transcript of Qualitative analysis coding and categorizing
Qualitative Analysis: Coding and Categorizing
Philip Adu, Ph.D. Methodology Expert
National Center for Academic & Dissertation Excellence (NCADE) The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Outline
1. Meaning of coding 2. Essence of coding 3. Coding process 4. Coding strategies/methods 5. Research question and
coding methods 6. Coding cycles 7. Memoing 8. Researcher’s Influence 9. Presenting findings
(writing chapter 4)
Codes
Categories
Themes
Theory
1. Reducing data 2. Creating concepts 3. Capturing essence 4. Developing theory
Meaning of Coding
Assigning labels to
Data 1. Interview transcripts
2. Documents 3. Artifacts
4. Field notes
A code is a word, phrase, or sentence that represents aspect(s) of a data or captures the essence or feature(s) of a data
(Saldana, 2013)
Essence of coding
1. Reducing data • Not losing the meaning of the data • Capturing the significant ideas or issues
2. Understanding phenomenon 3. Developing construct
• Developing categories and themes – Constructs/conceptual variables: “[They] are the mental
definitions of properties of events of objects that can vary”. “…[They] are often expressed in general, theoretical, qualitative, or subjective terms…” Read more: Conceptual Variables - Constructs in Science
4. Developing theory
(Hani, 2009; Saldana, 2013)
Coding Process
Coding Sorting Synthesizing Theorizing
Theory Themes Categories Codes
Real or
Particular
Abstract or
General
(Saldana, 2013)
Coding Sorting Synthesizing Theorizing
First Cycle Coding methods
1. Attribute coding 2. Descriptive coding 3. Emotion coding 4. Evaluation coding 5. In Vivo coding 6. Magnitude coding 7. Narrative coding 8. Process coding 9. Values coding 10. Themeing data
Post-Coding Techniques
1. Code Mapping 2. Code
Landscaping 3. Operational
Model Diagramming
Second Cycle Coding Methods 1. Pattern coding 2. Focused coding 3. Axial coding 4. Theoretical coding
Abstract or
General
Coding Strategies/Methods
(Saldana, 2013)
Types of Research Questions and Coding Methods
Type of Research Question
Meaning Examples Coding Methods
(1st Cycle Coding)
Ontological question
Related to studying “the nature of participants’ realities”
“What is the nature of…?”
“What are the lived experiences of…?”
“What is it like being…?”
• Attribute • Emotion • In Vivo • Narrative • Process • Values • Themeing
Epistemological question
Related to “knowing and an understanding of the phenomenon of interest”
“How does…?” “What does it mean
to be…?” “What factors
influence…?”
• Descriptive • Evaluation • Magnitude • Narrative • Process • Themeing
(Saldana, 2013, p.61)
First Cycle Coding Methods Related to Ontological Research Questions
Coding Methods
Function Examples
Attribute Coding
Coding features of research site(s), participant(s), and material(s) being studied
Participants’ age, gender, & educational level
Emotion Coding
Coding participants’ sentiments, feelings, reactions, excitements and sensations
• From participants’ viewpoint • From researcher's standpoint
Hopelessness Anxiety Pessimism Denial
In Vivo Coding
Coding by using participants’ own words “Never again” “Pay back time” “No mercy”
Value Coding
Coding participants’ “values [V], attitudes [A], and beliefs [B]” (p. 268)
[V] – Education [A] – Sense of uncertainty [B] – Existence of discrimination
Narrative coding
Coding participants’ stories including their interaction with others and retelling them.
They can be structured as follows: (1)Abstract [summary], (2) Orientation [characters, setting & time] (3) Complicating action [response/reaction] (4) Evaluation [essence] (5) Results [consequence] (6) Coda [lessons & conclusion]
(p. 133)
First Cycle Coding Methods Related to Epistemological Research Questions
Coding Methods
Functions Examples
Descriptive coding
• Assigning topics to aspects of the data • Normally nouns • For “social environments” (p. 262)
Churches, Schools, Playing ground, Banks, Public library, and Recycle bins
Evaluation coding
• “Assign[ing] judgments” (p. 119) (-) ‘Foreign’ to them (-) Not part of program planning (+) Sense of independence (+) Increase in family income (-) increase in domestic violence
Magnitude coding
Assigning “intensity, frequency, direction, presence, or evaluative content” to code(s)
High, Moderate & low income Present & absent motivation More & less determined
Process Coding
• Also called action coding • Coding “observable activity” and/or
“conceptual action” (p. 96)
Walking Cooking breakfast Checking emails Making calls Enjoying music Reflecting
Themeing data
• Using phrase or sentence to describe or capture the meaning of an aspect of a data
Ability to take care of their children Ability to pay bills Ability to have time with their children
(Saldana, 2013)
Post-Coding Techniques
Code Mapping Thoughtful and systematic process of sorting codes into:
Categories Themes/concepts
Codes Categories
Themes
1. Code Mapping 2. Code Landscaping 3. Operational Model Diagramming
Code Landscaping Visual display of participants’ transcripts
Word counts = Font sizes = Font color
Source: http://www.wordle.net/create
Operational Model Diagramming Illustrating the relationship among codes, categories themes,
and/or concepts
Cmap: http://ftp.ihmc.us/
Second Cycle Coding Methods
Coding Methods
Functions
Pattern coding
• Examining initial codes • Identifying trends, patterns, relationships • Assigning labels (they could be categories or themes)
Focused coding
• Identifying “the most frequent or significant initial codes” (p. 264)
• Building categories around them Axial coding • Identifying core category (“Core phenomenon”) and related
categories • Examining the features and dimensions of categories Causal conditions Core phenomenon Strategies Intervening conditions Consequence (Creswell, 2013, p. 86)
Theoretical or Selective coding
• Connecting the core category and related categories to create a storyline
• The narrative (proposition/theory) should explain a phenomenon
(Saldana, 2013)
Memoing Personal reflections and impressions • Data collection phase Documenting your thoughts about:
What you are observing in the field Your interaction with participants Your experience during the data collection process
• Data Analysis phase Documenting your thoughts about: Data analysis process Codes and their respective meanings Relationship among codes, categories, and themes
Researcher’s Influence
Factors influencing the data analysis process • Background • Beliefs and biases • Interests • Philosophical paradigm
Presenting Findings (in Chapter 4)
• Providing background information about participants or the observed (especially the first cycle coding: attribute coding)
• To better understand what they said or you observed
• Presenting the number of codes, categories and themes emerged
• Having a findings summary table (“Findings “at a glance” – Saldana, 2013, p. 254)
Category or Theme
Meaning Evidence from the data
Theme 1
Theme 2
Presenting Findings (in Chapter 4)
• Creating diagram to show the relationship between themes • Systematically presenting the finding
i. Stating the theme ii. Describing what the theme stands for (i.e. meaning of the theme) iii. Supporting the theme with an evidence from the data (e.g. Quote
from participants)
• Showing how the findings address the research question(s)
By Nathan Sawaya
Coding is like using Lego bricks to make an art: it always starts with using meaningless pieces
of bricks to create meaningful piece of art ~Philip Adu
CAQDAS (Computer-Aided Qualitative Data Analysis Software)
ATLAS.ti: www.atlasti.com MAXQDA: www.maxqda.com NVivo: www.qsrinternational.com HyperRESEARCH: http://www.researchware.com Nvivo: http://www.qsrinternational.com/products_nvivo.aspx QDA Miner: http://provalisresearch.com/ Qualrus: www.qualrus.com Transana: www.transana.org Weft QDA: www.pressure.to/qda/
(Saldana, 2013, p. 29)
References
Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches (3rd). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Hani (2009,January 20). Conceptual Variables. Retrieved from Explorable website: http://explorable.com/conceptual-variables Saldana, J. (2013). The coding manual for qualitative researchers. London: Sage