Pre-Workshop Materials: Introduction to Qualitative Data Analysis and Coding
This workshop is primarily hands-on practice with QualCoder in order to learn to use key features of the software. To participate fully please read through the following before the workshop:
1. What is Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA)?
Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) is the process of examining non-numerical data to understand meanings, patterns, and experiences. Examples of qualitative data include:
- Interview transcripts
- Open-ended survey responses
- Policy documents
- Images and media
Unlike quantitative analysis, which focuses on numbers, QDA focuses on understanding ideas, perspectives, and context.
2. What is Coding?
Coding is a core technique in qualitative analysis. Coding involves labeling segments of your data to identify patterns and related ideas. For example:
- “Summer temperatures are increasing rapidly in our region.”
- → Code: Increasing temperature
- These codes help you organize your data and identify recurring themes.
3. Why Do We Code? Coding helps you:
- Organize large amounts of data
- Identify patterns across different sources
- Compare perspectives across participants or cases
- Build themes for analysis
4. Coding is an Iterative Process Coding is not a one-time task. As you read and analyze your data:
- You may create new codes
- You may reuse existing codes
- You may revise or combine codes
5. From Codes to Themes After coding, you will begin to group related codes into broader themes.
- Example:
- Codes:
- Increasing temperature
- Coral bleaching
- Drought
- → Theme: Climate Change Impacts
- This process helps move your analysis from specific observations → broader insights
Watch, Coding Qualitative Data (9 min):
- Optional: Another great resouce if you are new to qualitative coding from SFU (10 min).
- Optional: If you are new to qualitative coding, you might want to review this helpful Coding Qualitative Data slide deck before you start working on the workshop’s hands-on activities (5 min)