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Abbreviations commonly used in the code definitions are "DK" ("Don't Know"), "NA" ("Not Ascertained"), and "INAP" ("Inapplicable"). Value Label: Indicates the textual definitions of the codes.Code Value: Indicates the code values occurring in the data for a variable.Users can use these "Missing Data" codes as needed.
#CODEBOOK QUALITATIVE RESEARCH SOFTWARE#
If "9" is a missing value, then the codebook could note "9 = Missing Data." Other examples of missing data labels include "Refused," "Don't Know," "Blank (No Answer)," and "Legitimate Skip." Some analysis software requires that certain types of data be excluded from analysis and designated as "Missing Data," (i.e., inappropriate, not ascertained, not ascertainable, or ambiguous data categories). Missing Data Code: Indicates the values and labels of missing data.In some cases, an expanded version of the Variable Name can be found in a Variable Description List. Variable Label: Indicates an abbreviated variable description (maximum of 40 characters) that can be used to identify the variable.What is qualitative research Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Qualitative Research 3 Still other definitions focus on the process and context of data collection: Qualitative research is a situated activity that locates the observer in the world. If the variable is a multiple-response type, then the width referenced is that of a single response. For newcomers to qualitative inquiry it presents a repertoire of coding methods in broad brushstrokes. Variable Column Location: Indicates the starting location and width of a variable.Variable Name: Indicates the variable number or name assigned to each variable in the data collection.The following elements are generally included for each variable in the data file: The body of a codebook describes the content of the data file. Information on data collection, data processing, and data quality.A description of the survey design and methodology.Other indications of the content and characteristics of each variableĪdditionally, codebooks may also contain:.Exact questions and skip patterns used in a survey.Codes used to indicate nonresponse and missing data.Column locations and widths for each variable.Users are strongly encouraged to review the codebook of a study before downloading the data file(s).Īlthough codebooks vary widely in quality and amount of information given, a typical codebook includes: A codebook provides information on the structure, contents, and layout of a data file. This article describes a team-based approach to the development of a comprehensive codebook for multiple researchers to use during content analysis of the transcripts of the expressive writings of women (in this study, N 89) with metastatic breast cancer.
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