Which coding step involves labeling segments of text with initial codes?

Which coding step involves labeling segments of text with initial codes?

• A. Immersion
• B. Axial coding
• C. Theme development
• D. Open coding

Answer: (D)

Open coding is the step where you break the data into small parts and attach labels to segments of text as initial codes. In this stage you go through the data line by line, noting ideas, actions, or phenomena and giving them concise codes. The goal is to capture meaning fragments without forcing them into preconceived categories, keeping the process flexible as you compare incidents across the data to refine the codes and begin forming early categories. Immersion is about becoming deeply familiar with the data—reading and re-reading to get a sense of its content before coding. Axial coding comes after open coding and focuses on relating codes to one another, forming patterns and subcategories. Theme development typically occurs once you have a solid set of codes and categories, synthesizing them into broader themes or theoretical constructs. For example, a sentence like “I felt overwhelmed by the workload” might be labeled during open coding as “workload stress” or “feeling overwhelmed.” This labeling of initial ideas is the essence of open coding.

Open coding is the step where you break the data into small parts and attach labels to segments of text as initial codes. In this stage you go through the data line by line, noting ideas, actions, or phenomena and giving them concise codes. The goal is to capture meaning fragments without forcing them into preconceived categories, keeping the process flexible as you compare incidents across the data to refine the codes and begin forming early categories.

Immersion is about becoming deeply familiar with the data—reading and re-reading to get a sense of its content before coding. Axial coding comes after open coding and focuses on relating codes to one another, forming patterns and subcategories. Theme development typically occurs once you have a solid set of codes and categories, synthesizing them into broader themes or theoretical constructs.

For example, a sentence like “I felt overwhelmed by the workload” might be labeled during open coding as “workload stress” or “feeling overwhelmed.” This labeling of initial ideas is the essence of open coding.