Coding & Data analysis

So ive been reading up on coding and trying to sort out the process before i have a trial coding attempt.

So i know there is open and axial coding. Im aiming to present the key steps in each type of coding.

So this is what i think...
Open coding
1) Conceptualising data - taking apart each sentance/line/paragraph e.g. what is it saying?, what does it represent?
2) Discovering categories - grouping concepts that seem to pertain to the same phenomenon e.g. like with like
3) Naming categories - define meaning
4) Develop categories - properties and dimensions

.................Category
.................\
..................\
................... \
.................Properties
.................\ ...........\......................... Dimentionalised
................. \............\
................ Attributes \
...................................\
.................................. Characteristics

Doing open coding

a) line by line - focus group/interviews
Good for generating categories early (basis of theoretical sampling)
Single word, phrase, close examination, very generative

b) Sentance paragraph - interviews
Useful when several categories already defined and now you want to code around them.
"What is the major idea brought out in this sentance/paragraph"

Writing code notes
-important for keeping track of initial concepts to refer back to

Techniques to enhance theoretical sensitivity
-use of questioning
-analysis of a word/phrase/sentance (id. important, interesting, significant works & list possible meanings)
-Comparisons - flip flop technique, close in, far out, waving red flag



Axial coding - putting the data back together in "new ways" - using the paradigm model


The Paradigm model

Images from the net..

Experience so far

I was thinking about how this year has gone and how the research experience has been, so if anyone who asks me "how i found it" i can give them a detailed account...

So there are a few key terms that spring to mind...
Motivation, preparation, proactive, interest in research, knowing how to write, time management, patients, and support.

All of these have contributed to what i understand as "an enjoyable experience" where i feel things are progresing along nicely.
I realised very early on in the research process that motivation is so important. I understand that the topic you are researching not only has to be of interest to you, but you need to really have a passion for or a hunger to find out what what has been documented in the literature in order to narrow your topic. I have found thoughout all steps of the process so far that i constantly come back to the feeling of "i carnt wait to see what the results are going to be".

Research only suits some people...especially for the honours year. Time is definitly a factor, and those who struggle with time management, and organisation skils may find completing a research project in one year difficult. I could imagine how hard it would be if i wasnt organised...i dont even understand the concept of being unorganised - its definitly not the way i role.

So i have learnt - when ever you have time - or are waiting for ethics...there is always something you can do to help you out when you are busy with data collection/analysis. Never say "i dont have anything to do" - its never true. You can never do enough reading about your methodology, around the topic, and in my case rigour and "how to write".

As a novice researcher "reading" and "writing" is important to get to grips with..writing is definitiy one of my weaknesses but i know im not alone on this one. Im lucky enough to have put my hands on some great texts that will help me, and i have had some goog advise from my supervisers e.g. reading outloud, putting together a list of words, how to structure a paragraph. But all i can say is "thank you" for track changes!

All for now

Jess

An interesting conversation

Well i was on a flight back from wellington and sitting next to a guy who was involved with computer science research. I was reading the text i said was an amazing find on qualitative research for occupational therapists and physiotherapists and thats how the conversation got started. We got talking about the differences between OT and computer science research. The interesting thing was that he understood how methodology was so important for qualitative research in the social sciences however he just didn't understand how the results were useful. I talked about how credibility and rigour was so important and he questioned how the participants perceptions were trustworthy. Well all my reading had come to use as i explained to find out what is going on in an area of practice it is important to get the data grounded in the practice area. He also didn't understand why if we thought there was a problem that we just didn't solve it. But i talked about how im looking at the issues and "whats actually happening" - not trying to solve anything. Anyway the flight wasn't long enough to really have a good discussion however i managed to grasp that there are some obvious differences in "what research is defined as" in our different areas. I asked him "how do you know if your problem solving during research is valid and reliable? he didn't use those concepts he just went on the "if it works its right" principle. I wondered if it was research at all..but i guess he was finding out something..
Anyway it was interesting to see his views on qualitative research - but i was glad that i was able to justify why i was doing a qualitative research and not just trying to problem solve. He accepted that "methodology was very important" but i don't think he truly understood the credibility and trustworthiness or reliability and validity of research.

Will post soon - going over ethics letter and amendments with my supervisor today so hopefully will have that sorted within the next few days

Jess

Ethics letter back; Rigour work

Well i got a letter back from the ethics committee - just a few we ammendments to make in regards to
- participants not feeling coerced into participating
- defining the term "working alongside"
- liasing with the treaty compliance group
- management of issues regarding inadequate/unsafe practice

All of which i think are "good points" that i need to incorporate into my research. I had a sigh of relief when only those "issues" came back as i was worried id have to do alot more.. i dont know why i was worried - i guess i just unconciously was preparing myself for the "worst case scenario"..
So over the weekend i made appropriate ammendments and drafted a letter to reply to to the committee. Will go over that this afternoon with my superviser and set it sent away ASAP.
So overall a relatively good outcome id say - glad i did all the work i did before submitting my application!

Oh my gosh! found an amazing text in the library that has made doing the work on rigour so much easier!!! and its a 2008 edition ~ amazing i know! I think i managed to take the whole library home in my bag!
So i have been adding a bit of depth and describing how rigour applies to "research in occupational therapy" and the grounded theory methodology.
So everythings running along smoothly - and timeframes at the moment are right on schedule.

I thnk im going to have to do some indepth reading around coding proceedures during analysis - because i must admit its not all that clear in my head. so il do a bit of reading on that i think

Also im going to finish my annotated bibliography to make things a bit easier when i go over the literature
Followed by another indpeth literature review.

Well plenty to get on with - but im motivated to do it!

Jess

A bit of time up my sleeve!

Well over the next few weeks (7 in fact) i have some time to really get going on my dissertation. I handed my ethics application in a month ago so should be hearing back from them soon...hopefully..

In the mean while i am working on
-The plan for how my focus group will be run
-The specific questions that will guide the discussions
-Rigour and trustworthiness strategies that will increase the validity of my findings

And im also doing some exciting stuff (well i think its exciting). Im working out my format and layout of my dissertation doing all the headings and fonts.Learning alot that i never new you could do on microsoft word hehe

So everything is running along smootly..now that i handed my 4 assignments in today!!! for post grad courses.

Over the next few weeks i should be able to add a posting on "how ethics approval went" - but im told most applications come back needing ammendments. So no stress!!
Oh and i will report my findings re: rigour and how i will enhance the trustworthiness of my study
Got to go and do some reading about rigour..and i have to read my questions again to make sure they wont guide the particpants.

Well all for now

Jess