This course focuses on integrating memo writing and code development into a larger analytic process as we keep the parts and the whole of data in mind. The content is methodologically informed by the Sort and Sift, Think and Shift approach developed by the consulting team at ResearchTalk.

Coding and memo writing are strategic ways of assessing “evidence” and meaning in qualitative research. They function as simultaneous and fluid tasks that occur during actively reviewing interviews, focus groups, audio-visual data, and other kinds of qualitative data. As researchers, we discern both holistic meaning at the level of the document and concentrated meaning at the level of the code.

Memos function as generative reflections that allow us to discern layers of tangible and implied meaning within a quotation as well as expand our analytic understanding of a transcript as a holistic “landscape.” Memo writing strategies help us develop abstract thinking, discern inscribed meaning between pieces of data, and assess collective evidence for emerging claims. Researchers can also mine memos for codes and incorporate memos in building evocative themes and theory. Memos can also resemble early writing for reports, articles, chapters, and other forms of presentation. The following types of memos will be discussed: key quotation memos, holistic document memos, positionality memos, and comparison memos.

We will discuss a priori codes—our point of departure—and “emerging” codes and consider how codes can surface from our simultaneous memo writing as well as shift unexpectedly during analysis. That is, we will not present coding and memo writing as necessarily discrete phases but rather conceptually conjoined as we move back and forth from one form of attentiveness to another, gathering, questioning, and revisiting narrative evidence. Though the course will not cover final products of analysis, our discussion of memos and codes will set the foundation for assessing code connections, shared meanings, identifying code “constellations,” and building multidimensional themes. Our discussion of codes will include the following topics: the importance of code names and evolving code memos, moving from descriptive to conceptual codes, and using memos intentionally throughout analysis.

For more information on Sort and Sift, Think and Shift, see the following:

1. Maietta, Raymond C., Reifsteck, Erin J., Petruzzelli, Jeff, Mihas, Paul, Swartout, Kevin, & Hamilton, Alison B. “The Sort and Sift, Think and Shift Analysis Method” (chapter 16), in Richards, K. A., Hemphill, M. A., & Wright, P. M. (Eds.). (2024). Qualitative research and evaluation in physical education and sport pedagogy. Jones & Bartlett Learning. https://www.jblearning.com/catalog/productdetails/9781284262391
2. Maietta, R., Mihas, P., Swartout, K., Petruzzelli, J., & Hamilton, A. B. (2021). Sort and Sift, Think and Shift: Let the Data Be Your Guide An Applied Approach to Working With, Learning From, and Privileging Qualitative Data. The Qualitative Report, 26(6), 2045-2060. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2021.5013