It is especially important to decide on your unit of coding (sentences, paragraphs, quasi-sentences, etc.).
First, you can always go back to the codes and view and review your codebook within your project, and second, you can simply export the codebook as an attachment or appendix for publication purposes (use: Reports > Codebook).įigure 3: Creating a new code with code memo Step 5: Unitizing and coding instructionsīefore the process of coding starts, it is necessary to decide on the units of, as well as the rules for, coding. Using MAXQDA’s code memos simplify the process of creating and maintaining a good codebook. criteria for when not to use the code, and.Inductively, there are various steps you can use, ranging from creative coding to in-vivo-codes.Ĭontent-wise, you can apply all sorts of codes, such as themes or evaluations, two of the most commonly used styles of content analysis (see thematic and evaluative content analysis in Kuckartz, 2014).įigure 2: coding options in MAXQDA MacQueen et al., 1998 suggest that a good codebook has these five aspects: Working deductively, the process is a little easier with codes deriving from the theoretical considerations in the context of your research. It takes time to develop a solid codebook. In the end, qualitative document analysis is all about written forms of communication (Kuckartz, 2014).įigure 1: Import the data you have chosen or selected Step 4: Codebook development Whatever type of qualitative data you choose, you can import it into MAXQDA and then you can have MAXQDA assist in transcribing it. Step 3: Select and prepare the dataįor this step, MAXQDA 2020 is an excellent tool to help you prepare the selected data for any further steps. What kind of qualitative data will best answer your question? Interviews – how many and with whom? Documents – which ones and where to collect them from?Īt this point, you can already start thinking about validity: are you going to use a representative or a biased sample? Check the different options for sampling and its effects on validity ( Krippendorff, 2019).
Step 2: Data collection and data samplingĪfter you have decided on the questions, you should think about how to answer them. Highlight these questions in your introduction and make your research stand out.
Guest post by Professional MAXQDA Trainer Dr.