Scribd
Upload
8 views6 pages

Review of Data Coding

Uploaded by

wanfarid
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
8 views6 pages

Review of Data Coding

Uploaded by

wanfarid
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 6

Data Coding 1

Review of Data Coding: How Inductive Analysis

Helps Organize Qualitative Data

Marissa L. Mullen

California State University, Northridge


Data Coding 2

Abstract

Paper discusses the use of inductive analysis as a data analysis technique for discussing

qualitative data. Inductive analysis is a technique used to categorize and describe non-

numerical data, such as interviews or survey responses. A practice data-coding exercise

conducted in a Masters Program class is described. Applications of inductive analysis to

a future action research project are also discussed.


Data Coding 3

Review of Data Coding: How Inductive Analysis

Helps Organize Qualitative Data

The culminating activity of the Science Education Masters Degree program is an

action research project. Before writing the action research report, each student will be

conducting research and collecting data to attempt to answer his or her own research

question. Much of the data collected will be qualitative in nature, based upon

observations, survey responses, and interviews. Qualitative data is “open ended and less

defined” (Johnson, 2008, p.6) which makes it very difficult to analyze. The purpose of

an action research project is to “not simply [write] about what you think to be true; rather,

it is collecting data and making conclusions based on that data” (Johnson, 2008, p.81).

Therefore, it is the job of the researcher to analyze the data he or she collected.

Inductive Analysis In-Class Activity

One way to analyze qualitative data is through inductive analysis – organizing the

data based upon common patterns or themes, thereby giving structure to conclusions

based on the data (Mertler, 2006). In class on March 7, 2007, we participated in an

inductive analysis activity to gain experience with the technique. In groups of three to

four students, we read and discussed responses to survey questions. The surveys were

completed by a group of college students in teacher-education classes; the survey purpose

was to see how prepared these potential teachers are to teach elementary school science.

In class, each group had the task of reading one section the survey and analyzing the

responses. Inductive analysis is not an easy task!

First, we read through the survey responses to identify common themes, searching

for words or ideas that were repeated in several surveys. We came up with a list of about
Data Coding 4

ten themes or categories. Next, we re-read each survey and recorded the category or

categories for each response. This type of data analysis was difficult and laborious, but

useful. I will most definitely be using inductive analysis as a data analysis strategy in my

own action research project.

Inductive Analysis in Future Research

I have not reached a final decision about the question I want to explore for my

action research project; however, I have narrowed it down to a few ideas. Currently, I am

most interested in studying student motivation in completing homework, or teacher-

parent communication strategies. To collect data on either of these topics, I plan to use

surveys and interviews. Therefore, I will need to analyze qualitative data collected from

student and parent responses to make sense of the data and draw conclusions.

Based upon the data coding activity completed in class, I agree with Mertler’s

statement that “the teacher-researcher may feel a bit overwhelmed with the task [of

inductive analysis] that lies ahead, as it can seem a monumental undertaking” (Mertler,

2006, p.125). Categorizing individual responses is time-consuming and difficult; some

responses just do not fit in a category. Nonetheless, I am looking forward to this type of

data analysis. Organizing data into categories or themes, and then presenting it in a chart

or table makes the data so much easier to understand. The qualitative data from the

surveys and interviews now becomes quantitative and numerical so that conclusions can

be made.

In addition to presenting the main categories or themes of data, I plan to include

samples of typical responses in each category to make the data more real. This technique

expands on basic data analysis, allowing “the reader to go beyond the numbers, to make
Data Coding 5

the research come alive” (Johnson, 2008, p.105). I think the addition of sample responses

will also make the research paper more interesting and readable.

I am looking forward to developing my action research skills. I am anxious to

read through student and parent surveys to find out what their true opinions are and to

draw conclusions from the data. I know that inductive analysis will be a major

component of my future research project.


Data Coding 6

References

Johnson, Andrew P. (2008). A Short Guide to Action Research. Boston: Pearson

Education, Inc.

Mertler, C. A. (2006). Action research: Teachers as researchers in the classroom.

Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy