How do you use online tools and software to support and enhance your grounded theory coding?

1 Data management

One of the first steps in grounded theory coding is data management and storage. It's essential to have easy access to data sources such as interviews, observations, documents, or media. Additionally, you need to protect your data from loss, damage, or unauthorized access. Online tools and software can provide features like cloud storage and backup, encryption and password protection, file organization and labeling, data import and export, and data transcription and translation. Examples of such tools are Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, Transcribe, and Rev.

2 Coding strategies

The next step in grounded theory coding is to apply different types of coding strategies and techniques. Coding strategies are the methods and rules used to assign codes to your data, while coding techniques are the specific ways you apply those methods and rules. Online tools and software can help you with coding strategies by providing features such as codebook creation and editing, code assignment and editing, code search and retrieval, code memoing and annotation, and code linking and grouping. Examples of online tools and software for coding strategies include NVivo, Atlas.ti, MAXQDA, Dedoose, and Quirkos.

3 Code visualization

The third step in grounded theory coding is to visualize and map your codes and categories. Code visualization entails displaying your codes and categories in graphical or spatial forms, such as charts, diagrams, networks, or maps. Code mapping involves connecting your codes and categories to show their relationships, hierarchies, or patterns. To support code visualization, online tools and software offer features like frequency and distribution charts, hierarchy and network diagrams, matrix and table views, geospatial and temporal maps, as well as customization and formatting options. Examples of online tools and software for code visualization are MindMeister, Lucidchart, CmapTools, Tableau, and ArcGIS.

4 Collaboration and communication

The fourth step in grounded theory coding is to collaborate and communicate with other researchers. This is essential for grounded theory coding, as it allows you to share, compare, and discuss your codes and categories with others. This also helps to avoid bias, enhance validity, and increase creativity. Various online tools and software can assist with collaboration and communication by providing features such as multi-user access and editing, synchronization and version control, commenting and feedback, chat and video conferencing, as well as sharing and exporting options. Examples of these tools are Google Docs, Slack, Zoom, Mendeley, and Zotero.

5 Validation and refinement

The final step in grounded theory coding is to validate and refine your coding and analysis. This involves techniques such as triangulation, negative case analysis, peer review, or member checking. Online tools and software can help with validation and refinement, offering features like code reliability and consistency measures, comparison and contrast tools, audit and tracking tools, query and filtering tools, and report and presentation tools. Examples of online tools include Kappa Calculator, QCAmap, HyperRESEARCH, QDA Miner, and PowerPoint.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?