Data Analysis in Qualitative Research, Chapter 6: Focused Coding

Text Exploration

In this chapter, the authors describe the difference between open coding and focused coding, showing how focused coding leads to the creation of an analytic argument.

The main difference between open and focused coding is that focused coding leads to something that is sociologically interesting. Focused coding means settling upon a promising theme, and using that as the boundaries or structure for the coding. It is a starting point for data analysis. At this point, researchers “may not know exactly what the case is about, but would it could be about.”

To develop a potential organizing analytic theme, this form of coding starts by reading observations and looking for relevant data; “any ethnographic or interview excerpt that remotely fits into the theme goes into a file labeled with the subject.” This is called a proto-set. Simultaneously, researchers gather existing literature related to the theme. Then, researchers select an index case, which anchors analysis; this is an observational excerpt for structuring. It seems to “best capture or provoke a possible central theme” in the study. It can be striking, particularly unique, or contradictory.

Next, the researchers look at the index case and the proto-set simultaneously, and the set is refined (and pruned—data fragments are “chucked aside”) and grouped based on its relationship to the index case. The goal is to find variation, or things that resemble the index case, but are different. That difference is the “ground for theoretical exploration” and this is a pattern-finding activity. The intent now is to identify grounded elements, like words, sentences, paragraphs, or incidents, and these start to create an argument. Outliers are “precious” as they force a rethinking of the initial and emergent argument.

Open coding and focused coding, then, “cultivate data surprises and set up the empirical foundation for analytic argument.” This must be more than simply listing themes that emerged from the data; the authors conclude by stating that “the analytic theme is not yet the theoretical contribution” but indicates what it might be.