Coding is the practice of reviewing the data and assigning it to the appropriate code or codes.
Creating a codebook to guide coding is a common technique in qualitative analysis. The codebook lists the anticipated categories or topics of interest to address your research question. Typically, it includes the name of the code and a definition of the content that belongs in it.
In some approaches to qualitative analysis, creating a codebook is an integral step in the process. Typically, members of the research team discuss potential codes and their definitions, and perhaps even arrange them in a coding structure with hierarchy. For example, under a top-level code called “communication” there may be sub-codes for “team communication”, “patient communication”, and so on. Someone creates a document that lists the codes and definitions – that is, the codebook – and distributes it among the team.
So how do I import my codebook into NVivo and have NVivo create the codes I want to use?
The short answer is: you can’t. I know that’s disappointing, especially since there is an Import Codebook command in the NVivo Import Ribbon. Unfortunately, that command only works for importing codebooks built in other qualitative analysis software.
So what can you do? My suggestion is to import your codebook document into NVivo and use a combination of the Code In Vivo command and Copy & Paste to quickly recreate your code structure in NVivo. The process works slightly differently in NVivo for Windows and NVivo for Mac, so I’ve shown the steps separately below.
Import codebook workaround – NVivo for Windows
Step One
Import and open your codebook document in NVivo.
Select a code name and right click to create a code using Code In Vivo.
Step Two
Copy the code description/definition from the codebook.
Step Three
Select the code, right click to Code Properties.
Step Four
Paste the copied text in the description field.
Repeat for each code.
Import codebook workaround – NVivo for Mac
Step One
Import and open your codebook document in NVivo. Note: If the formatting is off, try saving it as a PDF and re-import it.
Select a code name and right (or two finger) click to create a code using Code In Vivo.
Step Two
Copy the code description/definition from the codebook.
Step Three
Select the code, right (or two finger) click to Get Info.
Step Four
Paste the copied text in the description field.
Repeat for each code.
Once you have your codes and coding structure created inside NVivo you can now easily work with the NVivo codebook. There are many uses for it, including exporting it as a Word document. Check out QuotesWork’s blog post Using NVivo’s Codebook to learn more.
Hope this tip helps you make NVivo work better for you!
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