Given Hapunda

163 a) A label (i.e., a name); b) A definition of what the theme concerns (that which characterises the theme); c) A description of how to know when the theme occurs (those aspects that let you know to code a unit for that theme); d) A description of any qualifications or exclusions to the identification of the theme; and e) A listing of examples, positive and negative, to eliminate confusion. The label should be developed last and should be conceptually meaningful, clear and concise, and close to the data. Coding of qualitative data can create either qualitative or quantitative categories. Coding units like concepts are coded as the units of analysis. Thus, a single sentence or several pages of text might code identically, as an expression or example of a concept. Similarly, a unit of analysis might be coded within several coding units simultaneously. Coding is a physical act where the researcher decides how each event or artifact is coded. This process can be done “by hand” or by computer software programmes. Steps to Coding a. Theory Driven Coding This kind of coding begins with the researcher’s theoretical predisposition of what occurs. It stretches to the formulation of the indicators of evidence that would support the theory. The elements of the codes are derived from the hypothesis or the elements of the theory. In this coding process, prior research can be used to develop coding schemes. b. Research Driven Coding Research-driven codes consider codes used by other researchers whose findings provide the most direct help in the development of codes. Using someone else’s codes and may require that one looks at inter- rater reliability. c. Data-Driven Coding This involves inductive code development based on the data collected. Here, the researcher might decide which concepts to investigate a priori . In most cases of qualitative analysis, the researcher builds a series of codes inductively through the process of analysing the data. The process of coding data includes looking for patterns and themes. This process of creating codes inductively typically requires several iterations of trial and error to decide which codes will be used. The researcher begins with “open coding,” the process of creating many codes as one takes an initial look at the data (Strauss & Corbin, 1990). Open coding is followed by “axial coding,” or the process of selecting the key codes and concepts of interest. Axial coding