Questions about coding in GT (2)

Q:
In Grounded theory, I am confused of which coding process shall I follow.

A:
I suggest you to have a clear idea of what different researchers advocated. You need to know what to code firstly and then know how to find the relationships between codes and develop your core category and build your theory. 

The following comparison may help as a start.

A coding process by Glaser and Strauss is different:
Glaser & Strauss (1967) Glaser (1978) Strauss & Corbin (1998)
Open coding Open coding Substantive coding Open coding
Selective coding
Theoretical coding Theoretical coding Axial coding


Selective coding


Selective criteria for core category:
Glaser (11 Criteria) (1978) Strauss & Corbin (6 Criteria) (1998)
  • central
  • reoccur frequently
  • more time to saturate
  • connections not be-forced
  • clear & grabbing implication for formal theory
  • carry through
  • completely variable
  • is also a dimension of the problem
  • prevent to other sources of establishing a core
  • see the core category in all relations
  • it can be a kind of theoretical code
  • central
  • appear frequently
  • no forcing of data
  • sufficiently abstract
  • grows in depth and explanatory power
  • is able to explain variation


Glaser (1978) indicated foundational 6Cs as coding family.
  • Cause 
  • Consequence
  • Condition
  • Context
  • Covariance
  • Contingency
If Glaser's approach is difficult to understand, have a look Spradley's (1979: 111) 9 semantic relationships. It may offer you a start to code your data, and combining with Grounded theory coding process, you will then build a map of your code relationships. Furthermore, will have categories and core category.
  • X is a kind of Y (strict inclusion)
  • X is a place in Y (spatial)
  • X is a result of Y (cause-effect)
  • X is a reason for doing Y (rationale)
  • X is a place for doing Y (location for action)
  • X is used for Y (function)
  • X is a way to do Y (means-end)
  • X is a step in Y (sequence)
  • X is a characteristic of Y (attribution)
(Spradley, J. A. (1979). The ethnographic interview. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.) 

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