Download PDF
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Journal of Social Health and Diabetes 2015; 03(01): 007-010
DOI: 10.4103/2321-0656.140875
Methodological Issues in Social Health and Diabetes Research
NovoNordisk Education Foundation

The second step in data analysis: Coding qualitative research data

Heather L. Stuckey
Department of Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
21 November 2018 (online)

Also available at
   Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Coding is a process used in the analysis of qualitative research, which takes time and creativity. Three steps will help facilitate this process:

1. Reading through the data and creating a storyline;

2. Categorizing the data into codes; and

3. Using memos for clarification and interpretation.

Remembering the research question or storyline, while coding will help keep the qualitative researcher focused on relevant codes. A data dictionary can be used to define the meaning of the codes and keep the process transparent. Coding is done using either predetermined (a priori) or emergent codes, and most often, a combination of the two. By using memos to help clarify how the researcher is constructing the codes and his/her interpretations, the analysis will be easier to write in the end and have more consistency. This paper describes the process of coding and writing memos in the analysis of qualitative data related to diabetes research.

Coding - memos - methods - qualitative research
 

  • References

  • 1 Miles MB, Huberman AM, Saldaña J. Qualitative Data Analysis: A Methods Sourcebook. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE; 2014
    Google Scholar
  • 2 Physician Practice Connections — Patient Centered Medical Home Fact Sheet. 2010 Available from: http://www.ncqa.org/tabid/631/Default.aspx [Last accessed on 2010 Jul 15].
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Treiber J, Kipke R, Dizon C, Andrews J, Cassady D. Center for Program Evaluation and Research: Evaluation Tools Tip #18 Coding Qualitative Data. 2013 Available from: http://www.tobaccoeval.ucdavis.edu/documents/Tips_Tools_18_2012.pdf [Last accessed on 2014 Apr 13].
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Denzin NK, Lincoln YS. editors Collecting and Interpreting Qualitative Materials. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE; 2008
    Google Scholar
  • 5 Crabtree BF, Miller WL. editors Doing Qualitative Research. 2. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE; 1999
    Google Scholar
  • 6 Boyatzis R. Transforming Qualitative Information: Thematic Analysis and Code Development. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications; 1998
    Google Scholar
  • 7 Fereday J, Muir-Cochrane E. Demonstrating rigor using thematic analysis: A hybrid approach of inductive and deductive coding and theme development. Int J Qual Res 2006; 5: 10
    Google Scholar
  • 8 Birks M, Chapman Y, Francis K. Memoing in qualitative research: Probing data and processes. J Res Nurs 2008; 13: 9
    CrossrefGoogle Scholar