Coding in the Quotation Network: Bridging the Gap Between Fragmentation and Integration

Ricardo B. Contreras

Apri 11, 2016

Introduction

In this article I will look at a procedure not many ATLAS.ti users know: coding in the network view. That is, when the linkage between the codes and

the quotations is done inside of a network view rather than on the document margin. There might be occasions when coding in this way may be prefer-

able over the traditional way of coding on the margin area. For example, when coding graphic quotations, I like to have the quotation in a network

view and simply drag and drop the codes from the list into it.

When coding in a network, you focus your attention on the quotation itself and on the different linkages that you have created in relation to that

quotation. Coding in this way may provide you a systemic view of the quotation in relation to other elements, which allows you to see linkages beyond

the immediate space surrounding the quotation. This can be extremely useful, especially if you agree with me that an ultimate goal of any process of

qualitative analysis is to build a holistic representation of the research subject.

However, by coding in the network you may miss the benefit of seeing the text/image/audio or video surrounding the quotation, a clear benefit of

coding on the document margin. But this can be compensated by placing the network window side-by-side with the actual document. In this way, you

would still be able to see the quotation context while focusing your attention on the linkages between elements in the network.

See figure 1 below and watch this video tutorial showing how to place the document and the network side-by-side.

Fig-

ure

1.

Placing network side-by-side document in ATLAS.ti Mac and ATLAS.ti 7 Windows.

The procedures to code in the network view are slightly different between ATLAS.ti Windows and Mac.

Create a network and code inside of it in ATLAS.ti Mac

Create a new network

Insert the quotation into the network

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Select the codes of your preference from the Navigator and drag and drop them into the network

In the network, select the codes and drag and drop the red circle onto the quotation

The quotation has been coded!

See below figure 2 and watch this video tutorial.

Figure

2.

Creat-

ing

net-

work in

AT-

LAS.ti

Mac

and

coding

inside

of it.

Create a network and code inside of it in ATLAS.ti 7 Windows

In ATLAS.ti 7 Windows, coding in a network view can be done the same way as in the Mac version of the program, although the procedures vary a little

bit.

You first have to insert a quotation into a network view. To do this, there are two options: a) you can create a new network view and insert the quota-

tion into it or b) you can open the network view of a quotation.

Option A. To create a new network view and insert the quotation into it

Networks

New Network View

Give a name to the network view

Place the network view next to the side panel (or the Quotation Manager)

Drag and drop the quotation(s) into the network view

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Alternatively, after naming the network view, place it next to a document and drag and drop a quotation from there. See the figure 3 below.

Figure 3. Create network view in ATLAS.ti 7 Windows.

Option B. Open the network view of a quotation

In ATLAS.ti 7 Windows, different from the Mac version of the program, it is possible to open the network view of any element of the project (e.g., a

document, a quotation and a code). This can be done from the object manager and from the margin area.

To open network view from the Quotation Manager, do this:

Open the Quotation Manager

Select the quotation of your choice (only one)

Right-click on the quotation

Select ‘Open Network View’

See figure 4 below.

S

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Figure 4. Opening network view of quotation from Quotation Manager in ATLAS.ti 7 Windows.

To open the quotation network view from the margin area, do this:

Place the cursor on the quotation on the margin (or on the quotation selection)

Right-click on the quotation bar on the margin (or on the quotation selection)

Select ‘Open Network View’.

See figure 5 below.

Figure 5. Opening the network view of quotation from document margin in ATLAS.ti 7 Windows.

After the network view has been created and the quotation has been inserted into it, you can proceed to add codes and link them to the quotation. Do

as follows:

Open the quotation network view

Place it side-by-side the side panel or the Code Manager

Drag and drop the codes of your preference into the network view

Proceed to link the codes to the quotation.

See the figure 6 below. Also, watch this video tutorial, which demonstrates how to create the quotation network view in ATLAS.ti 7 Windows and how to

code inside of it.

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Figure 6. Inserting codes into network and linking them to quotation in ATLAS.ti 7 Windows.

Conclusion

I have learned that there is the tendency among new users of ATLAS.ti to overemphasize the importance of coding. Qualitative data analysis with the software involves much more than coding.  All of the different tools, when used in an intertwined manner, enrich the process of analysis and allow for the necessary balancing between fragmentation and integration of the data.  Although I agree that we do need to fragment through coding to capture the essence of the information and to generalize beyond a specific unit of the discourse, we also need to integrate in order to move towards a holistic representation of the phenomenon under study (see this blog article). 

Coding in a network helps to bridge the gap between fragmentation and integration.  It provides the opportunity to code by not losing sight of the

linkages between the quotation and other elements of the project, beyond the immediate quotation surroundings. However, and importantly, the

decision as to whether or not to code in a network, when to do it, and how many linkages should be included, must respond to practical needs. Like

many procedures in ATLAS.ti, you will only code in this way if doing so helps you in analysis.  You are the judge.

Note: To learn about networks in ATLAS.ti Mac, read starting on page 61 of the manual (download from here) and/or watch this video tutorial. To learn

about networks in ATLAS.ti 7 Windows, read starting on page 280 of the manual (download from here) and/or watch this video tutorial.

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