Discuss the key benefits and strategies of coding

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Discuss the key benefits and strategies of coding. What are the potential dangers to avoid while coding interviews?

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Dom

 

Benefits and Strategies of Coding

Coding is described as the process of analyzing qualitative research data by examining each individual part to see what it means in the bigger picture before putting the data back together in a meaningful way (Elliott, 2018). The process of coding is beneficial for qualitative studies because it can help the researcher understand the information and subsequently turn it into analytical data to use for a study. It enables the researcher to connect the data collection stage with the data analysis stage of a study (Rogers, 2018). Furthermore, the data analysis is beneficial to directing subsequent data collection towards new analytic issues because coding allows for constant comparison of data (Maher et al., 2018).

The strategy behind coding is to try and see if all the information learned during something such as an interview can be put together in an analytical way. This information can then be used to convey pertinent information regarding the subject the researcher is studying. Coding is also the main analytic method within grounded theory; this means that the research must ask analytic questions of the data, categorize the data with a code, and use those codes to sort and develop an understanding of what is occurring in the study (Maher et al., 2018). It is creative work for the researcher because it allows them to sort through the interview information and decide how to code the data. Thus, it is an effective strategy to make sense of data which is received in an unorganized manner and then sorted into something meaningful.

Dangers of Coding Interviews

A potential danger of coding interviews is when the researcher believes coding is the same across all contexts. For instance, if someone replicates the coding from earlier studies without factoring the differences needed in different approaches, then it will not work as well (Elliott, 2018). Coding cannot be a universal method that one can use in every case. It is used to decipher data from each unique case and is never applied uniformly. This is because each case requires a unique perspective and creativity. In addition, the coding approach can hamper transparency and not necessarily facilitate reanalysis or secondary analysis of interview data (Deterding & Waters, 2021).

The researcher is also in control of the data and must use their own intuition to facilitate further analysis. All coding is considered a judgment call, and it is important that researchers identify their biases, subjectivities, and predispositions within the research process (Rogers, 2018). If they cannot visualize the data or code it in an ineffective manner, then the data is useless. The imperative moments involved in coding are being able to make the code, then organizing the code, and finally identifying the patterns of the code so that they provide some analysis (Locke et al., 2020). Therefore, if a researcher codes a certain interview in one way and then realizes it was not the best way or cannot access the data readily, then the researcher runs the risk of losing valuable information.

Another danger may be dealing with all the information involved in an interview. The researcher must sort through all the extraneous information to get what they need. This makes it hard to see pertinent data, so therefore, the researcher should avoid excessive coding. Also, the current practices in coding require transcription of data prior to coding; thus, transcription should be done with meticulous detail to account for the nuances of nonverbal behavior that can be missed (Parameswaran et al., 2020).

Biblical Integration

Coding data is important for research because it organizes information into a way in which a researcher can present patterns and analysis. This is useful for qualitative research because interviews contain a lot of information to digest. Therefore, a researcher must sort through it all and organize it into a manner that reveals similarities from the interview. Similarly, in the Bible, there are passages which encourage the effectiveness of being organized. Followers of the Bible should accomplish all their tasks in a fitting and orderly style (New International Version Bible, 1973/2011, 1 Corinthians 14:40).

References

Deterding, N. M., & Waters, M. C. (2021). Flexible coding of in-depth interviews: A twenty-first-century approach. Sociological Methods & Research, 50(2), 708-739.

Elliott, V. (2018). Thinking about the coding process in qualitative data analysis. The Qualitative Report, 23(11), 2850-2861.

Locke, K., Feldman, M., & Golden-Biddle, K. (2020). Coding practices and iterativity: Beyond templates for analyzing qualitative data. Organizational Research Methods.

Maher, C., Hadfield, M., Hutchings, M., & de Eyto, A. (2018). Ensuring rigor in qualitative data analysis: A design research approach to coding combining NVivo with traditional material methods. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 17(1), 1-13.

New International Version Bible. (2011). Zondervan. (Original work published 1973).

Parameswaran, U. D., Ozawa-Kirk, J. L., & Latendresse, G. (2020). To live (code) or to not: A new method for coding in qualitative research. Qualitative social work, 19(4), 630-644.

 

Samuel

 

 

Key Benefits and Strategies of Coding

Data coding is utilized by qualitative researchers to improve the standards at gathering data from documents, observations, interviews, or questionnaires to assist in the interpretation and understanding of data (Liberty University, 2019). The presenter states codes are highlights of an interview to narrow down the burden of readers by showing the most interesting points or features in the data. Coding requires the labeling of sections in the text and can be transcribed into Word using macros setting and properly organized/formatted (Peach, 2014). Liberty University describes the categorization of topics as a process that assists qualitative data analysis that involves proofreading from the researcher. For example, determining whether certain details are missed or patterns that are of significance as it relates to the subject matter. The presenter says that theoretical ideas and its connections are to be outlined and developed to code information in different aspects. The review of codes is based on the initial transcript from the interview—like a court hearing transcript—from all participants involved to identify evidence from documents or texts as it relates to the same code as described by the presenter. Additionally, an analysis of the coding is to share a similar theme or concept with the subject matter as noted by the presenter. The presenter says that patterns and connections between the codes should be identified to assist readers and fellow peers with an idea of what is being explored as it relates to qualitative research methodology.

Potential Dangers

Liberty University (2019) states that coding issues may include differences with code as researchers will have varying preferences. Transcribing many long interviews is time-consuming for a single researcher starting with limited resources, so the interpretation of data may change based on the type of researcher’s understanding, knowledge, and data as mentioned by the presenter. The presenter states that coding itself is not empirical due to its nature of relying on subjective choice and personal views of the researcher. Data can be changed so there is no one golden standard for coding in qualitative research simply due to the behavior of researchers not being homogeneous or the same according to the presenter. The presenter lists another challenge with coding as the need to update old codes with new codes among different researchers. They say there are technical limitations at times depending on the coding software and hardware differences utilized by different researchers. The coding of qualitative data lacks empirical use that can be more easily subject to criticism by participants and narrative that cause fragmentation of data as noted by the presenter. Maintaining context is important to ensure the reliability of the data being researched (Curry, 2015). Qualitative research is about seeking the truth of a social problem and God commands “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (King James Bible, 1769/2021, John 8:32). Truth can be defined as having reliability and validity in recording accurate data in qualitative research.