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Mastering Qualitative Data Coding: From Transcripts to Themes
The most daunting part of qualitative research is the "Mountain of Text." You have finished your interviews, and you have 100 pages of transcripts. How do you turn that into a thesis? The answer is "Coding."
### Open, Axial, and Selective Coding
Coding is the process of labeling segments of text. In **Open Coding**, you identify initial concepts. In **Axial Coding**, you look for connections between those concepts. Finally, in **Selective Coding**, you choose the core "Themes" that explain your findings.
### Using Software vs. Manual Coding
While software like NVivo or ATLAS.ti is powerful, manual coding with highlighters and sticky notes is still highly effective for smaller studies. The goal is "Data Saturation"—the point where you are no longer finding new information. This process is slow but rewarding, as it allows the "voices" of your participants to tell the story of your research. If you find yourself lost in your transcripts, our qualitative specialists at uniSupport can help you code your data and build a thematic framework that is both academically sound and deeply insightful.
### Open, Axial, and Selective Coding
Coding is the process of labeling segments of text. In **Open Coding**, you identify initial concepts. In **Axial Coding**, you look for connections between those concepts. Finally, in **Selective Coding**, you choose the core "Themes" that explain your findings.
### Using Software vs. Manual Coding
While software like NVivo or ATLAS.ti is powerful, manual coding with highlighters and sticky notes is still highly effective for smaller studies. The goal is "Data Saturation"—the point where you are no longer finding new information. This process is slow but rewarding, as it allows the "voices" of your participants to tell the story of your research. If you find yourself lost in your transcripts, our qualitative specialists at uniSupport can help you code your data and build a thematic framework that is both academically sound and deeply insightful.