(Mostly Free) Resources for Learning How to Code Qualitative Data
What is coding for qualitative data?
If you’ve found your way to this article, you probably have an idea of what coding for qualitative data looks like. Hint: It doesn’t require knowing Python, C++ or any other programming language.
Qualitative coding is a systematic process of labelling and organizing qualitative data. It is a way to analyze non-numerical data like interview and focus group transcripts, photographs, and field notes.
In my current role as an evaluator, I usually use coding as a way to identify common and interesting themes from interviews I’ve conducted. These themes are then examined as a whole, to see what kind of narrative insights they can provide about the program that is being evaluated. If you want to know more about how to analyze qualitative data thematically, check out our Eval Academy article: Interpreting themes from qualitative data: thematic analysis.
How do you do it?
There are a lot of different ways to code qualitative data. In the past, I’ve used paper and a pen, sticky notes, MS Word, Excel, or a software program like Nvivo or Dedoose. I usually code my data thematically and inductively because it helps me to uncover unexpected insights. This is because inductive coding involves creating codes as you are going through the data. It forces me to keep an open mind about what the data could be saying – even if it differs from my preconceptions. I’ve also done deductive coding before, starting my coding with a set of agreed upon codes. I find that this method usually helps me to look for the answers to my evaluation questions more efficiently and can be useful when I don’t have a lot of time for analysis.
When I first started learning how to code qualitatively, it was a bit overwhelming because there are so many ways that you can do it. I really struggled to understand that there isn’t necessarily one “right way” of coding in evaluation. There are some general rules for rigour but beyond that, everyone seems to have their own preferred style. This approach slightly differs from academic institutions where you are often required to pick an established qualitative method with a specific underpinning theory, stick with it, and document your steps for review.
In my struggle to find answers about how to code qualitative data, I came across some resources that helped me learn a bit more about the theories behind qualitative coding and how others do it. These resources continue to help me to refine my coding processes. I hope you find them useful as well!
And if you still have questions after exploring my resource list, I recommend asking other evaluators and researchers about their methods or taking a course with a practical component.
You’re also welcome to leave a question or a comment on our Eval Academy LinkedIn!
(Mostly Free) Resources List for Learning Qualitative Coding
Most of these resources include some kind of step-by-step process for coding qualitative data. Some of them also include information on the different types of qualitative coding and when to use them.
Courses:
Delve’s Free Qualitative Data Analysis Course (mostly free)
Delve has created a free course on qualitative coding to promote their paid coding platform. This is a short, self-paced course suitable for beginners. I like that it guides you through coding for the first time with short, practical assignments. You don’t need to use their software to complete the course, but you can trial it for free if you want to use it for your learning.
Qualitative Research Methods: Data coding and Analysis (mostly free)
MITx online offers free access to this self-paced course which is a shortened version of a semester long version taught by Professor Susan Silbey of MIT. The paid version allows you to participate in the assignments and receive a certificate upon completion. The free version still allows you to access all the content, as long as you sign in with an MITx online account. I found this course to be a really good study of step-by-step qualitative coding within an academic setting. Professor Silbey does a great job of explaining and demonstrating things like how to do line-by-line coding, create a codebook, and refine your codes.
Videos:
Qualitative Data Analysis 101 Tutorial: 6 Analysis Methods + Examples (free)
This is a 25-minute informational video by Grad Coach on YouTube about the different types of qualitative analysis. This is NOT a step-by-step guide to coding, but it does explain 6 different types of qualitative methods and when to use them. This is a good video to watch to learn about what kinds of qualitative methods exist outside of the ever-popular thematic analysis.
Qualitative Coding Tutorial: How to Code Qualitative Data for Analysis (4 Steps + Examples) (free)
This 27-minute YouTube video by Grad Coach explains the minute details of how to code qualitatively. It goes over some steps for how to code, as well as discussing different methods that you can use at each stage of coding. It ends with some tips for how to code your data.
Qualitative data analysis – Coding Tutorial – Initial Codes | “From Codes to Themes” episode 1 (free)
This video is the first part of a YouTube series on how to code by Dr. Kriukow. He’s sort of a qualitative data analysis influencer – if that is a thing. In this 23-minute video, he explains his thought process while he demonstrates how to code a transcript. If you ever wanted to know how other people code, this one is a good demonstration to watch. If you like the way that he codes, I think he has a paid course on Udemy. I’ve never taken it before, so I didn’t include it in this list.
Qualitative coding and thematic analysis in Microsoft Word (free)
MS Word is probably one of the most accessible ways to code because it is an app that most people already have on their computers. Dr. Kriukow shows you how to use MS Word to code and thematically analyze your data in this 28-minute YouTube video.
Ten Top Tips in Qualitative Data Analysis for New Researchers – Jude Spiers (free)
The International Institute for Qualitative Methodology hosted a master class webinar series, and this 1-hour lecture was part of it. This video is less practical than the other resources listed here, but it does offer some useful tips and tricks for how to code qualitative data in an academic setting.
Articles:
Interpreting themes from qualitative data: thematic analysis (free)
This Eval Academy article is one of our most popular. It’s a thorough guide on how to do thematic analysis, including a useful illustration on interpreting themes. Most of the other resources in this list focus on coding, but this one focuses on what you do AFTER coding all your data.
Using thematic analysis in psychology (mostly free)
The authors of this academic article on thematic analysis are well-known researchers of qualitative data methods. If you’re looking for some peer-reviewed literature on how to conduct thematic analysis, you should definitely read this one. It includes step-by-step explanations on how to conduct thematic analysis. This article may be paywalled on some sites.
The Essential Guide to Coding Qualitative Data (free)
Alongside their free course, Delve also has a free guide to coding qualitative data. It discusses a range of useful topics such as how to transcribe interviews, tools for coding qualitative data, and a step-by-step process for coding.
Analyzing Qualitative Data (free)
Learning for Action wrote this step-by-step article with tips for how to analyze qualitative data. Their example uses Excel to code the qualitative data, so it is a useful guide for that specific type of coding method.