Qualitative Data: An Introduction to Coding and Analysis

7. Coding 2: The Mechanics Phase 3: Developing Theory

7 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Coding 2: The Mechanics Phase 3: Developing Theory IN THIS CHAPTER we will consider the third phase of data analysis, DEVELOPING THEORY. In this phase you will organize the themes into ab­ stract concepts called theoretical constructs (Step 5), and then use the the­ oretical constructs to construct a theoretical narrative (Step 6). Step 5: Develop Theoretical Constructs by Organizing Themes into More Abstract Concepts The next step is to organize your themes into more abstract groupings that we call theoretical constructs. A theoretical construct is an abstract concept that organizes a group of themes by fitting them into a theoretical framework. Theoretical constructs move the analysis from the description of sub­ jective experience found in repeating ideas and themes to a more abstract and theoretical level. Once you have developed your theoretical constructs you will understand your themes more deeply, because you will see how they fit into a larger theoretical framework. 68 ❙ Coding 2: The Mechanics, Phase 3: Developing Theory As an illustration of how theoretical constructs work, consider the the­ oretical construct BICULTURAL ROLE STRAIN. We will show you how we developed it, but for now just take it as given. BICULTURAL ROLE STRAIN groups together the two themes—Praising aspects of the traditional Hai­ tian father, and Dissatisfactions with aspects of traditional Haitian father­ hood. Note that the construct does not simply redescribe the two themes, but also fits them into an abstract theoretical framework. It groups the two themes together as displaying the men’s internal conflicts about the tradi­ tional Haitian fathering role. That is, BICULTURAL ROLE STRAIN describes how the men feel positively about some aspects of the traditional fathering role, and negatively about other aspects. Developing theoretical constructs will challenge you as a researcher. You are probably used to doing research based on theories taken from the literature and which, therefore, were developed by someone else. In de­ veloping theoretical constructs, however, you will have to develop your own theories or apply the theories you already know in a new and creative way. The experience is both difficult and rewarding. How you use the literature of your field in developing theoretical con­ structs falls on a continuum. #1. At one extreme of the continuum, you cannot use much prior re­ search literature because relatively little is known about your sam­ ple, or because prior research was biased and simply wrong about the experiences of your participants. #2. In the middle of the continuum, you do not have a definite body of literature in mind when you analyze your data. However, as you analyze your data you recognize how theories in the literature can be used to make sense of your themes. In this case you use the literature to develop your theoretical constructs. #3. At the other extreme of the continuum, you begin the research knowing which literature and theoretical constructs you intend to apply to your data. In this case you use your data to elaborate, re­ fine, or validate theories in the literature. When you investigate a research concern for the first time, you will probably be at level #1 or level #2. That is, after you have collected your Coding 2: The Mechanics, Phase 3: Developing Theory ❙ 69 data you will be able to use some amount of the theoretical literature to make sense of your findings. In this chapter, therefore, we will teach you how to bring the literature of your field to bear on the data you have collected. In a later chapter we will cover level #3, in which you use qualitative research to expand and re­ fine specific ideas or theories already in the literature. The procedure for creating theoretical constructs from themes has the same form as the procedure for creating themes from repeating ideas. However, the mechanics of the process are easier to carry out since you work with a relatively small number of themes. On the other hand, it is more difficult conceptually because you work at a more abstract level. The steps for developing theoretical constructs from themes are de­ scribed below. Their numbering corresponds to that for developing themes from repeating ideas. 1. Begin by opening the file that contains your list of themes. Then open a new file for your list of theoretical constructs. 2. Now direct your attention to the first theme. This will be the starter theme for the...