1. Coding

2. What is coding? In qualitative analysis, coding is the process perusing data for categories and meanings (themes, ideas, etc.) and then systematically marking similar strings of text with a code label. This allows for systematic retrieval at a later stage for further comparison and analysis. Coding the data makes it easier to identify any patterns that require further investigation.

3. Coding Codes may be based on: Actions, behaviors Themes, topics Ideas, concepts Terms, phrases Keywords Code only relevant data (Not all data must be coded)

4. Coding Codes are given meaningful names that are applied to all instances of similar content. Strings of text may contain more than one code. When new content is discovered, a new code is created to apply to it and other similar content.

5. Coding Through analysis, Codes may evolve The number of codes may grow as more topics or themes become apparent. Therefore, generate and maintain a list of codes to help to identify the content contained in the codes and the data set.

6. Coding Sources of codes (usually both below): A priori codes Previous research Previous theory Research question Your intuition of the data or setting Grounded codes (suspend your ideas about the phenomenon and let your data determine your thinking)

7. Coding When coding, continually ask yourself questions about the data. For example: What is going on (context)? What are people doing? Toward what are persons orienting their thoughts? What is the person saying? What do these things take for granted? How does context affect the statements?

8. Coding Some things that might be coded:Examples: Behaviours, specific actsBeing dumbfounded, Bragging Events – short once in a lifetime events or thingsMeeting a transexual, first time seeing people have done, often told as a story a video clip Activities – these are of a longer duration, andBeing a lover, playing ball involve other people within a particular setting Strategies, practice or tacticsCutting hair to look masculine States – general conditions experienced by poepleBeing “put out” with feminine guys Relationships or interactionI want to kick their asses Conditions or constraintsIf he only knew how to sing, wearing a girl’s shirt ConsequencesActing like that makes people question sex

9. Coding When coding, constantly compare with previous strings of text that bear that code. As one codes, and subsequent to coding, one should create a data display to manage the data The researcher then generates themes by linking instances of codes with other codes. The themes are formed into a narrative about the data. There are numerous legitimate ways to move from codes to narrative, but the common ingredients are systematic work and adherence to logic.