Which step groups codes into categories?

Which step groups codes into categories?

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

Answer: (D)

In grounded theory analysis, the step that organizes the labeled data into meaningful structures is axial coding. After you’ve generated initial codes through open coding, axial coding reassembles and relates those codes around central categories. It’s about grouping related codes into broader categories and defining subcategories, then describing how these categories connect through conditions, context, actions/interactions, and consequences. This is the phase that turns scattered codes into a coherent framework you can anchor with properties and dimensions, showing how different aspects of the data fit together around key phenomena. For example, if you have codes about barriers to attendance (transport issues, cost, scheduling conflicts) and supports (reminders, family help), axial coding would organize these under a broader category like "factors influencing attendance," with subcategories and specified relationships. Immersion is the initial deep engagement with the data, open coding is the early labeling of segments, and theme development comes later to extract overarching themes from the organized categories.

In grounded theory analysis, the step that organizes the labeled data into meaningful structures is axial coding. After you’ve generated initial codes through open coding, axial coding reassembles and relates those codes around central categories. It’s about grouping related codes into broader categories and defining subcategories, then describing how these categories connect through conditions, context, actions/interactions, and consequences. This is the phase that turns scattered codes into a coherent framework you can anchor with properties and dimensions, showing how different aspects of the data fit together around key phenomena.

For example, if you have codes about barriers to attendance (transport issues, cost, scheduling conflicts) and supports (reminders, family help), axial coding would organize these under a broader category like "factors influencing attendance," with subcategories and specified relationships. Immersion is the initial deep engagement with the data, open coding is the early labeling of segments, and theme development comes later to extract overarching themes from the organized categories.