How To Do Initial Coding
What is initial coding?
Initial coding, also known as “open coding,” is the first step of the coding process, particularly in qualitative methods such as grounded theory. In this initial pass where you break down your qualitative data into discrete excerpts and create codes to label them with.
With initial coding you are creating codes as you work through your transcripts. Since initial coding has no guidelines for how to create these codes, researchers will often utilize code creation methodologies as part of the initial coding. The code creation methods include in vivo coding and process coding. After initial coding, you move onto further rounds of analysis to delve deeper into the data. In grounded theory these include axial coding and focused coding
The initial coding phase should be quick and spontaneous. Think of every code as tentative, and subject to change as you do further rounds of analysis. This step involves examining discrete excerpts for similarities and differences, and seeing what direction the data can take you. Codes in the initial coding step can range from being descriptive, to conceptual, to theoretical.
When should I use initial coding?
When beginning your analysis of a qualitative study
If you’re conducting a study with a variety of data forms (observations, notes, interview transcripts, etc)
How do I decide what to code in the initial coding process
There is no one way to do initial coding, and you can code specific excerpts of data in various ways. Here are some examples:
Line by line coding: Code every line of your data.
Or try paragraph by paragraph coding: Code every paragraph of your data.
Or you can just code selectively: Code whatever is interesting or stands out.
Be sure to code:
Anything that is interesting
Anything that surprises you
Any patterns you see throughout the data
How to create codes in the initial coding process?
Initial coding does not have specific guidelines for how to create the codes you label your excerpts with. However researcher will often use other code creation methods as part of initial coding, such as:
Descriptive coding- where you code to summarize the topic of the data
In vivo coding - where you create codes using the words of your research participants
Process coding - where you create codes based on actions
Examples of coding methods to use after initial coding:
Axial coding - In grounded theory, axial coding immediately follows the initial coding phase.
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References
Saldaña, J. (2009). The coding manual for qualitative researchers. Sage Publications Ltd.