This is also referred to as inductive coding. ' in Vivo' or'Emic'-codes are more emergent in nature as they are inspired by what is found directly in the data and help us see and understand things we did not anticipate.This is also referred to as deductive coding. ‘A Priori’ or ‘Etic’ -codes are predetermined based on theory, an interview protocol, or some other manner not directly connected to the data.Codes are identified in one of two ways.So, briefly, here are two separate ways we develop code systems. This also helps to categorize data across our data-that is, this helps to tell a broader story. This way, codes can be used consistently by different members of our research teams. Ĭodes must be developed systematically into a label we can use to identify and organize content meaningful to our research questions. Which Strategies or Methods Do We Use to Create Codes?. Together, these form a codebook or Code Tree, which makes the definition and dynamic management of codes essential for quality research. Qualitative and mixed methods researchers develop dozens of codes over the course of a project. Ī code is a word or phrase researchers apply to an excerpt of their data (whether text, image, video, audio, etc.) that captures a specific meaning, pattern, relationship, or theme ( Salmona et al., 2019).

In this blog, we make a return to the foundations of creating a robust coding system-from creating thoughtful codes to systematically developing a comprehensive codebook optimized for your research questions!. There are hundreds of resources available regarding qualitative coding strategies, as well as how to build a strong codebook (a.k.a. Grummert, Ph.D.Ĭoding data is one of the most creative, fun, and important aspects of research. Qualitative Methods Refresher: Creating Codes and Building a Robust Codebook.

Tree of codes book