How do I combine codes in MAXQDA?

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How do I combine codes in MAXQDA?

How do I combine codes in MAXQDA?

MAXQDA is powerful computer software used to analyze qualitative data, such as interviews, surveys, or other text data. Most impressively, MAXQDA allows you to organize your data using codes. Simply put, a code is like a label that you give to information so that you can organize or subcategorize it under different themes or topics.

You will sometimes find that you have created duplicate codes for the same ideas or topics. For example, you might have created two codes, “Happiness” and “Joy,” representing similar ideas. In this situation, you will want to merge these codes into one. Merging codes keeps your project clean and organized.

In this article, we will explain the steps of combining codes in MAXQDA in simple terms so that you can easily follow them.

Why Combine Codes in MAXQDA?

Before we go into the steps, let us first discuss why you would want to combine codes in MAXQDA:

  • Less Redundancy: If you have identical codes, it is probably due to an error in your function or because you used different names for the same idea. Merging these will thus reduce duplication.
  • Make Your Work Easier: Merging codes helps make your project less complicated and more systematic, mainly if you have many codes.
  • Enhance Analysis: Once you merge the codes, analyzing the data without many similar codes will be easier.

Now that we know why merging codes might be helpful, let us review the steps to merge them in MAXQDA.

Step 1: Open Your Project in MAXQDA

The first thing that you have to do is open the project where the codes are saved. Here are the steps to follow:

  • Open MAXQDA on your computer.
  • Click on File in the top menu.
  • Select Open Project and pick the project you would like to work with.

Once you have opened the project, you are prepared to bring together your codes.

Step 2: Go to the Codes Section

In MAXQDA, you can find all your codes under the “Codes” section of the left-hand sidebar. That is where all the codes you have created so far are found.

Select the Codes tab at the top of the left-hand sidebar unless you are already in the Codes section.

Step 3: Select the Codes to Merge

Now, review the codes you want to combine. You will likely have two or more codes that refer to the same thing or something very similar. Continuing with the example above, you might have the codes “Happiness” and “Joy,” representing positive emotions.

Here is how you make your selection of the codes:

  • Click the first code you want to combine, for example, “Happiness.”
  • Keeping the Ctrl key on your keyboard held down, click again on the second code you would like to combine, such as “Joy.”

You should now have both codes highlighted.

Step 4: Merge Codes

After you select codes, you can merge them into a single code. Here is how:

  • Right-click over one of the highlighted codes.
  • In the drop-down, select Merge Codes.

A window will appear, and you will be asked to indicate the destination code. After merging the two codes, the destination code is the one you want to have. You can choose either one of the existing codes or create a new code where you want to merge information.

For instance, if you merge “Happiness” and “Joy,” you can either retain the “Happiness” code as the destination code or create a new code named “Positive Emotions.”

Step 5: Confirm Merge

When you have chosen a Destination code, you will be prompted to confirm that you want to merge codes. Be sure that you do.

In the above example, in order to merge “Happiness” and “Joy” into “Positive Emotions:

Ensure that everything is in place to accomplish this.

Click OK to execute

MAXQDA will now merge the two codes in question and move all of the data associated with both original codes into the destination code.

Step 6: Check the Combined Code

You should check if everything looks correct now that you have combined codes. Go to the section Codes and look at the destination code you chose. You should see that all text segments are coded with both original codes, which are now grouped under the new or selected code.

For instance, if you merged “Happiness” and “Joy” into “Positive Emotions,” check to see if all data for both codes are now listed under “Positive Emotions.”

Step 7: Delete Old Code (Optional)

Once you have merged the codes, you can delete the old code(s) so you do not get confused. Here is how to delete a code:

  • In the Codes section, right-click on the code you want to delete.
  • In the menu, select Delete Code.
  • Confirm that you want to delete the code.

Note: When you delete a code, it will be deleted permanently from your project; make sure you no longer need the old code before deleting it

Step 8: Search for Other Related Codes to Merge

If you have more similar codes, repeat the process for those to merge them. Go through your codes, and if you find any that can be merged, repeat the steps.

Step 9: Use Code Sets to Keep Organized

If you have many codes, combining them can be organized by creating code sets. A code set is like a folder where you can group similar codes.

Creating a code set:

  • In the Codes section, right-click and select New Code Set.
  • Name the code set (for example, “Emotions”).
  • Drag and drop the combined codes into the code set.

This will keep your project neat and organized as it grows.

Step 10: Analyze the Combined Codes

Now that you have combined and organized your codes, you can start analyzing the data. With fewer codes to keep track of, you will find it easier to observe patterns, trends, and important insights in your research.

Conclusion on combine codes in MAXQDA

Combining codes in MAXQDA is one way to keep a project organized. This helps reduce redundancy, makes working easier, and consequently, makes data analysis easy. Here are simple steps to merge codes in just a few clicks.

Please remember to check your codes before combining them. Changes made in this combination process are permanent. However, if you follow these steps, you can merge codes in MAXQDA without a hitch. Whether a small project or an extensive research study, code combination keeps one focused on what matters in their analysis.