Question

What is an accurate statement of how best to code qualitative data? a. It involves the reduction of narrative data to a manageable form to allow sorting and organization to occur.

b. It requires numerical coding and statistical analysis to be meaningful.
c. Qualitative data coding is solely about converting text into numerical values.
d. The primary goal is to maintain the richness of narrative data without any form of reduction or organization.

Answer 1

The best method for coding qualitative data is by reducing and organizing narrative data into manageable form, preserving its richness while identifying patterns and themes.

Step-by-step explanation:

An accurate statement of how best to code qualitative data is that it involves the reduction of narrative data to a manageable form to allow sorting and organization to occur. Coding qualitative data is not just about converting text into numerical values; rather, it is about interpreting the data to identify themes, patterns, and relationships within. Unlike quantitative data that often relies on numerical coding for statistical analysis, qualitative data require critical thinking and analytical skills for coding. Qualitative data analysis may include identifying thematic structures, interpretation, selective coding, and formulating categories. This process involves a subjective approach that maintains the depth and richness of narrative data while still categorizing the information for analysis.