Table 3.
Flexible coding process overview (Adapted from Deterding & Waters, 2021)
| Stage | Description | Team | Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 0: Preparing for flexible analysis | -Transcribing & redacting -Collecting other artifacts (e.g., memos) -Assigning attributes (e.g., strata) |
Data preparation team | QDAS project files containing: -Transcripts with standardized naming/structure and attributes -Interview team memos -Data collection notes |
| Stage 1: Organizing the dataset through indexing | -Developing indexing codebook -Index coding & validation -Writing reflective memos |
ICT | Updated QDAS project files from Stage 0 containing: -Index codebook -Indexed transcripts -Indexing memos |
| Stage 2: Applying analytical codes based on individual research questions | -Identifying RQ and applicable dataset guided by community input -Identifying applicable index codes -Developing the analytical codebook with community feedback -Applying analytical codes to index coded data and assessing ICA -Writing reflective memos |
PR, CIT & ACT | QDAS project file per RQ containing: -Transcripts with attributes, index codes, analytical codes -Indexing and analytical memos |
| Stage 3: Refining the analysis | -Writing final reflective memo -Running QDAS reports -Consulting community guidance to sensitize analysis -Using literature to sensitize analysis |
PR, ACT & CIT | In-depth analysis rooted in the data |
Notes: QDAS indicates qualitative data analysis software; RQ indicates research question; PR: Primary Researcher; ACT: Analytical Coding Team; ICT: Indexing coding Team; CIT: Community Interpretation Team