Qualitative_data_analysis

Figure 10.2 Initial relationships between categories
SPLITTING AND SPLICING 149
the various categories we created. When we create and define categories, we have to
consider the boundaries between them. We also have to consider whether the
relationships between categories are inclusive or exclusive, and the different levels of
classification in our category set. Even before we begin our analysis, therefore, we
may have a rough idea of some of the logical relationships between the categories we
are going to use in our analysis (Figure 10.2).
We need to think in terms of a category set rather than an unrelated and
haphazard collection of individual categories. When we assign categories, we may
have to reconsider the boundaries of categories and relationships between them.
Applying our ideas more systematically or to new data may oblige us to adapt old
categories or adopt new ones. All this contributes to the emergence of new conceptual
comparisons and connections between our categories. We can map out these
changes in our category set as they develop. We can also indicate which are the
more important aspects to emerge from our analysis of the data (Figure 10.3).
Once we have categorized the data, we are in a better position to review the
boundaries and relationships between the categories used in our classification. We
can do this by comparing systematically the databits which have been assigned to
the categories used in our analysis. To do this we need to examine the databits
which we have assigned to each category. The computer should allow us to retrieve
the databits for any combination of categories in which we are interested.
As an example, let us take the category ‘task’. We have used this category to
categorize data expressing stereotypical images of work. Suppose we have also used
another category, ‘occupation’, to refer to general differences between the two
occupations. Drilling a tooth or painting a canvas is a task, while the amount of
income this generates is an occupational characteristic. Now we want to clarify the
connection between our categories ‘task’ and ‘occupation’ and how these relate to
our interest in the style and substance of Woody Allen’s humour.