Manual or electronic? The role of coding in qualitative data analysis

Author: Basit T.¹

Source: Educational Research, Volume 45, Number 2, June 2003 , pp. 143-154(12)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

Data analysis is the most difficult and most crucial aspect of qualitative research. Coding is one of the significant steps taken during analysis to organize and make sense of textual data. This paper examines the use of manual and electronic methods to code data in two rather different projects in which the data were collected mainly by in-depth interviewing. The author looks at both the methods in the light of her own experience and concludes that the choice will be dependent on the size of the project, the funds and time available, and the inclination and expertise of the researcher.

Keywords: coding; qualitative data; data analysis

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Institute of Education, Manchester Metropolitan University, 799 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2RR