How to Do Simultaneous Coding

 

(Also known as Double Coding in Qualitative Research)

 

What is simultaneous coding?

Simultaneous coding is a method of qualitative coding where a single excerpt of data is coded with multiple codes. This occurs when the data can be categorized in multiple ways. It is also called double coding in qualitative research.

When should I use simultaneous coding?

Here are some situations where simultaneous coding would be appropriate and examples for each: 

1. You’re investigating interrelationships between codes

If you see multiple codes are frequently being used to code the same passages, you may find that there is a relationship between those codes. For example, if in your project, you observe that the code [Anxiety] is frequently coded simultaneously with [Disconnected from others] and [Lockdown restrictions],  you may be able to establish that there are relationships between those codes. When exploring interrelationships, you can use code co-occurrence matrices to help you see where these overlaps and relationships occur. 

2. A passage of data has layers and nuance and one code is not enough to depict it

A passage can have layers and nuance, and there is no need to restrict yourself to one code in those scenarios. Below is an example of a passage from a study about early lockdown during COVID-19 pandemic, where we found it appropriate to use simultaneous coding.

"When the COVID cases started to get really bad in the city, our son came to live with us temporarily. I was so happy because it meant that I knew he was safe, and it was the most time I would be able to spend with him since before he left for college. But at the same time it was hard for me to see him struggle with his loss of independence. He got into a lot of fights with his father, and the whole environment got tense. But my baby was home and it was honestly so nice."

Codes:
1 Grown child back home
2 Happiness - more time together
 3 Difficulty - tense environment

In this passage, the woman is communicating multiple feelings at once, which could be simultaneously coded with [Grown child back home] [Happiness- ore time together] [Difficulty - tense environment].

3. A story has a surface level and underlying meaning behind it

Oftentimes when people tell stories about their own lives, they convey multiple meanings at once, and you can use simultaneous coding to encapsulate both meanings. 

In this excerpt, a woman describes celebrating her birthday alone during the pandemic: 

"I honestly just preferred to celebrate my birthday very low key and on my own this year."

Codes:
1 Preference for celebrating alone
2 Fear of catching COVID
 3 Impact of keeping underlying condition secret

But in other sections of the interview she expresses a consistent lack of trust for how others handled safety protocols, and her own sensitivity for her underlying condition that she doesn’t want people to know about. When coding this passage, you could simultaneously code it with both [Preference for celebrating alone] along with the underlying meaning was [Fear of catching COVID] or [Impact of keeping underlying condition secret].  

4. An excerpt of data is related to several different topics

A single quote may touch on two topics that you are covering in your research. Below is an example of a spouse talking about their shopping habits during the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

"My husband and I couldn’t go to the store in person anymore because we were worried about the outbreak happening in our area. We started to do the online grocery shopping thing which was hard to figure out"

Codes:
1 Adaptations
2 Interruptions

If your research goal was to learn about how people’s lives were interrupted by the COVID-19 situation and how they adapted, this single passage could be simultaneously coded with [Adaptations] and [Interruptions]. 

5. You want to use multiple codes that span from broad to specific 

When conducting qualitative analysis, you’ll often find that you have levels of specificity and abstraction in the codes that you are creating. You may find yourself applying multiple codes that exist on those different levels, making them both appropriate codes to apply.

In this interview excerpt from a study exploring the impact of COVID-19, a participant says,

"The other major thing too was that Laura and I were planning to get married at the end of April. We already put in all of our deposits to pay for this event. I mean I was already nervous before the pandemic hit and now with this, it was like throwing a fireball at the whole thing."

Codes:
1 Interruption
2 Wedding Postponed

With this passage, you can code it with something broad like [Interruption] but simultaneously code it with a more specific code [Wedding Postponed]. In a scenario like this, you can nest the codes to give your findings more structure.

As you can see, the researcher derives the code names from the literal words in the transcript itself. The codes capture the essence of what the participant was communicating.

Tools for simultaneous coding

Theoretically you can do simultaneous coding whether you are coding with traditional methods like pen and paper or software for qualitative coding, but there are many advantages to using software when you do simultaneous coding.

Pen and paper or documents and spreadsheet processors

If you use pen and paper, the logistics of organizing your simultaneous codes can get unwieldy. You may end up having to copy and paste your quotes into multiple code groups and it can be difficult to keep track of. You will run into the same challenges with coding with using Word and Excel, where using multiple codes on one piece of data makes managing those codes much more complex.

Qualitative coding software such as Delve

Using software such as Delve qualitative analysis tool, enable you to easily code passages with multiple codes, quickly find codes that overlap, and produce outputs like code co-occurrence matrices to visualize and do further analysis on those simultaneous codes.  You can start a free trial of Delve here.

Qualitative analysis doesn't have to be overwhelming

Take Delve's free online course to learn how to find themes and patterns in your qualitative data. Get started here.

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