Axial coding
Encyclopedia
Axial coding is the disaggregation of core themes during qualitative data analysis. Axial coding in Grounded Theory
is the process of relating codes (categories and concepts) to each other, via a combination of inductive and deductive thinking. The basic framework
of generic relationships is understood, according to Strauss and Corbin (1990, 1998) who propose the use of a "coding paradigm
", to include categories related to (1) the phenomenon under study, (2) the conditions related to that phenomenon (context conditions, intervening -structural- conditions or causal conditions), (3) the actions and interactional strategies directed at managing or handling the phenomenon and (4) the consequences of the actions/interactions related to the phenomenon. As Kelle underlines, the implicit or explicit theoretical framework necessary to identify categories in empirical data is derived, in the procedures explicited by Strauss and Corbin (1990), from a "general model of action rooted in pragmatist
and interactionist social theory" (Kelle, 2005, para. 16). This model or theoretical framework underlines the importance of "analysing and modelling action and interaction strategies of the actors" (para. 16). Axial coding is a cornerstone of Strauss and Corbin’s (1990, 1998) approach but is regarded by Charmaz (2006) as highly structured and optional.
Grounded theory
Grounded theory is a systematic methodology in the social sciences involving the generation of theory from data. It is mainly used in qualitative research, but is also applicable to quantitative data....
is the process of relating codes (categories and concepts) to each other, via a combination of inductive and deductive thinking. The basic framework
Framework
Framework may refer to:*Software framework, a reusable set of libraries or classes for a software system .**Application framework, a software framework used to implement the standard structure of an application for a specific operating system....
of generic relationships is understood, according to Strauss and Corbin (1990, 1998) who propose the use of a "coding paradigm
Paradigm
The word paradigm has been used in science to describe distinct concepts. It comes from Greek "παράδειγμα" , "pattern, example, sample" from the verb "παραδείκνυμι" , "exhibit, represent, expose" and that from "παρά" , "beside, beyond" + "δείκνυμι" , "to show, to point out".The original Greek...
", to include categories related to (1) the phenomenon under study, (2) the conditions related to that phenomenon (context conditions, intervening -structural- conditions or causal conditions), (3) the actions and interactional strategies directed at managing or handling the phenomenon and (4) the consequences of the actions/interactions related to the phenomenon. As Kelle underlines, the implicit or explicit theoretical framework necessary to identify categories in empirical data is derived, in the procedures explicited by Strauss and Corbin (1990), from a "general model of action rooted in pragmatist
Pragmatist
Pragmatist may refer to:*A person who subscribes to pragmatism, a field of philosophy*A person who subscribes to pragmaticism, Charles Sanders Peirce's post-1905 branch of philosophy...
and interactionist social theory" (Kelle, 2005, para. 16). This model or theoretical framework underlines the importance of "analysing and modelling action and interaction strategies of the actors" (para. 16). Axial coding is a cornerstone of Strauss and Corbin’s (1990, 1998) approach but is regarded by Charmaz (2006) as highly structured and optional.