Axial coding is the breaking down of core themes during
qualitative data analysis
Qualitative research is a type of research that aims to gather and analyse non-numerical (descriptive) data in order to gain an understanding of individuals' social reality, including understanding their attitudes, beliefs, and motivation. This ...
. Axial coding in
grounded theory
Grounded theory is a systematic methodology that has been largely applied to qualitative research conducted by social science, social scientists. The methodology involves the construction of hypotheses and theories through the collecting and anal ...
is the process of relating codes (categories and concepts) to each other, via a combination of inductive and deductive thinking. The basic
framework
A framework is a generic term commonly referring to an essential supporting structure which other things are built on top of.
Framework may refer to:
Computing
* Application framework, used to implement the structure of an application for an op ...
of generic relationships is understood, according to Strauss and Corbin (1990, 1998) who propose the use of a "coding
paradigm
In science and philosophy, a paradigm () is a distinct set of concepts or thought patterns, including theories, research methods, postulates, and standards for what constitute legitimate contributions to a field.
Etymology
''Paradigm'' comes f ...
", 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
Empirical evidence for a proposition is evidence, i.e. what supports or counters this proposition, that is constituted by or accessible to sense experience or experimental procedure. Empirical evidence is of central importance to the sciences an ...
is derived, in the procedures explicated by Strauss and Corbin (1990), from a "general model of action rooted in
pragmatist and
interactionist
In micro-sociology, interactionism is a theoretical perspective that sees social behavior as an interactive product of the individual and the situation. In other words, it derives social processes (such as conflict, cooperation, identity format ...
social theory" (Kelle, 2005, para. 16). This model or
theoretical framework
A theory is a rational type of abstract thinking about a phenomenon, or the results of such thinking. The process of contemplative and rational thinking is often associated with such processes as observational study or research. Theories may be s ...
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.
[Strauss, A. L., & Corbin, J. M. (1998). ''Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques'' (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.]
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Axial Coding
Qualitative research