Axial Coding

Method for Analysis

Within and inspired by grounded theory, axial coding is the process of relating pieces, or codes, of data to each other. In other words, using deductive and inductive reasoning, axial coding is a process of looking for relationship identification between open codes. In essence, axial coding seeks to identify central (i.e., axis) phenomena in one’s data. Axial coding is a middle or later stage method for analysis. In other words, axial coding is the process of integrating categories and subcategories. In particular, axial coding makes connections between categories that reveal themes, new categories, or new subcategories. Such methodology is typically applied to short textual passages or segments. Hypothetical relationships, or relationships that appear to be emergent throughout the coding process, are repeatedly checked deductively in light of new data or material to ensure credible claims may be made. Axial coding has proved to be a trustworthy and credible tool for analysis throughout the communication discipline and others.

Coding in Qualitative Research

Scholars across disciplines agree that codes are linkages between data. It is possible to code one’s collected data in myriad ways. For instance, behaviors, events, activities, strategies, states, meanings, participation, relationships, conditions, consequences, and settings are examples of items that may be coded. Behaviors refer to specific behavioral acts that occur. Scholars often agree that events are single occurring instances. Such instances may be once in a lifetime or instances shared in narrative formats. Activities, on the contrary, refer to instances that occur throughout a longer duration and might also be continuous in nature. Strategies refer to specific identifiable practices in communicative events or activities. States refer to general physical, mental, and emotional conditions that individuals experience. Meanings are diverse phenomenon that influences how participants act, how they might act, and how they believe they will act or others should have acted. Relationships are essentially linked interactions in which participants derive, construct, and re-construct some type of meaning that is perceived to be beneficial. Conditions may also be referred to as constraints and may be anything that influences the context of the interaction. Consequences refer to rewards and costs of specific behavior, events, activities, or actions. Finally, settings refer to the communication context of the event or activity. Now that a definition and examples of items and instances that can be coded are clear, it is important to consider the roots or history of axial coding within grounded theory.

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