Qualitative_data_analysis

146 QUALITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS
I have concentrated on the conceptual aspects of subcategorizing, because the
mechanical aspects are so straightforward. The computer can streamline most of the
mechanical aspects of subcategorizing data. The process should require no more
than selecting the relevant data or databits and the appropriate subcategory or
subcategories. For consistency, we should keep a list of subcategories and select from
it as required. If we are subcategorizing data without subdividing databits, then all
we have to do is assign subcategories from our list to the relevant databits. For the
databits under the category ‘suffering’ we might assign subcategories as in
Illustration 10.4.
ILLUSTRATION 10.4
SUBCATEGORIZED DATABITS FOR THE CATEGORY
‘SUFFERING’
Disability Discomfort Disfigurement
4. She claims she can’t
chew!
3. I tried forcing the false
plate in but it sticks out
like a star burst
chandelier.
5. then he lacks accuracy
and once inside a mouth,
he knocks out more teeth
than he saves.
7. When I returned, she
was still in the chair.
8. God! I have not a
penny left even for
Novocaine! Today I
pulled a tooth and had to
anesthetize the patient by
reading him some
Dreizer.
3. I tried forcing the
false plate in but it
sticks out like a star
burst chandelier.
Now suppose that as well as distinguishing between databits, we also want to
subdivide data within databits. For example, the databit
[I tried forcing the false plate in but it sticks out like a star burst
chandelier.]
could be subdivided in the light of our subcategories to distinguish the different bits
of data (Illustration 10.5).