Phase 2: disassembling and coding data 101

The second step involves classifying data and placing textual data into categories, in other words coding of the data takes place during this second phase. Yin (2011) asserts that during the second phase of the analysis, the compiled data are

broken into smaller pieces for assigning codes and Yin (2011) considers it as a disassembling process. In qualitative research, it is quite important to realise that not everybody will be able to perceive the themes in a similar way (Bloomberg & Volpe, 2012). Therefore, systematic procedures are required for finding, defining and coding themes. From the huge volume of interview data, the researcher needs to reduce the information to a smaller set of data. To do this, it is required to develop a systematic and manageable coding scheme. In qualitative inquiry, a code represents a word or short sentence that captures the primary essence of the information (Bloomberg & Volpe, 2012; Saldana, 2013). This analytic process helps the researcher to focus to prioritise developing themes.

Bloomberg and Volpe (Bloomberg & Volpe, 2012, p. 102) define coding as the “system of classification” which is helpful to identify various segments of data. Coding is a method which helps the researchers to organise the coded data into categories, main themes and dimensions based on the research questions, literature, and the aims and objectives of the research (Creswell, 2009; Marshall & Rossman, 2006; Miles & Huberman, 1984; Saldana, 2013).

The process of coding involves marking text data which is collected during the data collection and categorising them into themes and dimensions. A sample of coding done after transcribing from the interview data is given below in Table 3.7. The researcher has reduced the list of categories by grouping topics which are similar. Bloomberg and Volpe (2012) assert that the reduction process includes questioning the data, noting common patterns and creating a code that describes the data patterns.

Pattern Coding: After the coding of the data from the field, the next important exercise is pattern coding (Miles & Huberman, 1984, 1994). Pattern codes are explanatory codes that identify emergent themes, patterns, or explanations. They pull a lot of material together into more meaningful units of analysis. The first level of coding is summarising the segment of data. Pattern coding is a method of grouping those summaries into a small number of overarching themes or constructs (Miles & Huberman, 1984).

Table 3.7 Sample of coding from the transcribed data

Raw text data that inspired level one

coding or open coding/initial coding Level 2 coding or axial coding

Level 3 coding or selective coding

GNH is guiding policy of our country and is very important that we align our HR

practices also to that philosophy Aligning HR policies to GNH Defining GNH

....we have given lots of factors,

environmental factors, economical factors,

preservation of culture, good governance. Foundation for GNH Defining GNH GNH is the back bone of our country

developmental philosophy. Guiding philosophy of the country Defining GNH We need to have a consistent definition

and understanding of GNH, unless we can agree on what GNH is, we can’t prepare HR policies to address GNH

Need consistent definition Defining GNH

.... But my own view is GNH is a guiding philosophy and not an ideology. It is an overarching philosophy, so we shouldn’t try to get it too ideological

Guiding philosophy and not

an ideology Defining GNH

GNH in my view would be having basic needs, be happy, be contented. And not be happy because you have so many

unfulfilled wishes

Meet basic needs and content Defining GNH

Yin (2011) posits that grounded theorists have defined three categories of coding which are relevant to all the researchers that need to code data. The first is the open coding or the initial coding which generates categories and their properties. Open coding is also known as disassembling of data (Yin, 2011). In this stage, categories are systematically developed which are linked with their respective sub- categories. Once the first level or initial coding is done, the next step is to move to the next higher level of conceptual coding known as level two or category codes (Yin, 2011). The third category is called selective coding where the process of integrating and refining process takes place. It is called the reassembling of data or axial coding (Yin, 2011). The items in the data which are similar have been provided with the same code. The higher conceptual levels of data items enable the researcher to sort the data into similar and dissimilar items. A sample of the coded data is given in Table 3.7. The disadvantage of coding is, it distracts the researcher as the researcher is required to attend to the mechanics of the coding (Yin, 2011). However,

it is argued that if data coding is not done, it can lead to a non-systematic and inconsistent process which may lack the rigour required for the research.

For open coding or level 1 coding, NVivo10 software was used. The major strengths of using the NVivo software for coding the data is that it conveniently and efficiently makes the data analysis process easy since the researcher can record and retrieve the data information later on, and modify the data based on new insights (Creswell, 2009; Marshall & Rossman, 2006; Yin, 2011). However, the software package does not do the coding and cannot interpret the emotional tone which is critical for understanding the findings in case studies (Bloomberg & Volpe, 2012; Yin, 2011).

3.8.3.1 Sorting and categorising quotations

After the researcher completed the coding, quotes were placed in their respective appropriate analytic categories, which are the units of information for analysis as reflected in Table 3.8 as an example. After information was placed in the categories, the researcher reviewed the subcategories or descriptors for overlap or repetition. If subcategories have the same meaning or properties, they were merged to avoid repetition (Bloomberg & Volpe, 2012).

Table 3.8 Quotes used for defining GNH

Quotes GNH defined

GNH is guiding policy of our country and is very important that we align our HR practices also to that philosophy and....we have given lots of factors, environmental factors, economical factors, preservation of culture, good governance (Respondent IS16).

I think the whole idea of GNH is creating a more equal society, a more socially just society, a society where, let's say, there is less income disparity, where social justice is more (Respondent OS05).