Tonight I watched Andreas Muller, a MAXQDA trainer, present the webinar “Coding with a System: Organizing, changing, & documenting your Code System.” Muller noted that MAXQDA is primarily a coding software. Muller gave an example of codes for a cooking scenario or eating at a restaurant to emphasize different code systems. For example: advantages/disadvantages, codes with subcodes positive or negative, and a combination. This exercise was intended to emphasize that there are multiple approaches to coding. Mueller noted that two main categories are bottom up coding/inductive approaches or top down coding/deductive. Inductive coding starts with a large number of inductive/data-driven codes created when reading the texts. Then, these codes are grouped into themes iteratively to arrive at broad topics/themes. A useful tool is the creative coding function in MAXQDA. Mueller demonstrated the creation of a code by highlighting text, right clicking, and creating a new code. A useful feature of MAXQDA is that when creating codes, it identifies existing codes. Alternatively, Muller demonstrated how the open coding tool allows you to highlight and create a new code. Once the list of codes gets long, a visual way of organizing codes is available. Creative coding allows you to drag, organize, and color-code codes to develop your system. Muller built multiple layers of codes and connected them with lines by dragging and making connections to define relationships. After organizing, the system can be applied to automatically update the code list. The maps are stored in MAXMaps, including different versions. The code maps can be exported as images after formatting. The outcome or one of the last steps is a good code system. In a top down coding system, the approach is deductive. The general procedure starts with a small number of well-defined codes. The Smart Coding tool is useful for this approach. Muller demonstrated the Code Memo functionality to describe what the codes mean. You an drag codes or define keyboard shortcuts. Next, Muller explained that you want to break up these codes into subcodes. The Smart Coding tool, can help again. The last part of the webinar was devoted to Muller sharing examples. Muller shared how you can calculate and visualize frequency tables. Detailed memos help the user keep track of code definitions. Muller suggested coding with a system and trying to anticipate the analysis phase. The also emphasized the importance of using code memos that can be exported as a code book! They also mentioned that “temporary” chaos in the code system is normal and organizing long lists is important. Under the Reports menu, a user can export the code system as an Excel file. You can also export as a MAXQDA code system to use in another project.
