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Coding in the Quotation Network: Bridging the Gap Between Fragmentation and IntegrationRicardo B. ContrerasApri 11, 2016IntroductionIn this article I will look at a procedure not many ATLAS.ti users know: coding in the network view. That is, when the linkage between the codes and the quotations is done inside of a network view rather than on the document margin. There might be occasions when coding in this way may be preferable over the traditional way of coding on the margin area. For example, when coding graphic quotations, I like to have the quotation in a network view and simply drag and drop the codes from the list into it. When coding in a network, you focus your attention on the quotation itself and on the different linkages that you have created in relation to that quotation. Coding in this way may provide you a systemic view of the quotation in relation to other elements, which allows you to see linkages beyond the immediate space surrounding the quotation. This can be extremely useful, especially if you agree with me that an ultimate goal of any process of qualitative analysis is to build a holistic representation of the research subject. However, by coding in the network you may miss the benefit of seeing the text/image/audio or video surrounding the quotation, a clear benefit of coding on the document margin. But this can be compensated by placing the network window side-by-side with the actual document. In this way, you would still be able to see the quotation context while focusing your attention on the linkages between elements in the network. See figure 1 below and watch this video tutorial showing how to place the document and the network side-by-side.-4889518034000Figure SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 1. Placing network side-by-side document in ATLAS.ti Mac and ATLAS.ti 7 Windows.The procedures to code in the network view are slightly different between ATLAS.ti Windows and Mac. Create a network and code inside of it in ATLAS.ti MacCreate a new networkInsert the quotation into the networkSelect the codes of your preference from the Navigator and drag and drop them into the networkIn the network, select the codes and drag and drop the red circle onto the quotationThe quotation has been coded!-16319524384000See below figure 2 and watch this video tutorial. Figure SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 2. Creating network in ATLAS.ti Mac and coding inside of it.Create a network and code inside of it in ATLAS.ti 7 WindowsIn ATLAS.ti 7 Windows, coding in a network view can be done the same way as in the Mac version of the program, although the procedures vary a little bit.You first have to insert a quotation into a network view. To do this, there are two options: a) you can create a new network view and insert the quotation into it or b) you can open the network view of a quotation. Option A. To create a new network view and insert the quotation into itNetworksNew Network ViewGive a name to the network viewPlace the network view next to the side panel (or the Quotation Manager)Drag and drop the quotation(s) into the network viewAlternatively, after naming the network view, place it next to a document and drag and drop a quotation from there. See the figure 3 below.Figure SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 3. Create network view in ATLAS.ti 7 Windows.Option B. Open the network view of a quotationIn ATLAS.ti 7 Windows, different from the Mac version of the program, it is possible to open the network view of any element of the project (e.g., a document, a quotation and a code). This can be done from the object manager and from the margin area. To open network view from the Quotation Manager, do this:Open the Quotation ManagerSelect the quotation of your choice (only one)Right-click on the quotationSelect ‘Open Network View’See figure 4 below.-1631957874000SFigure SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 4. Opening network view of quotation from Quotation Manager in ATLAS.ti 7 Windows.To open the quotation network view from the margin area, do this:Place the cursor on the quotation on the margin (or on the quotation selection)Right-click on the quotation bar on the margin (or on the quotation selection)Select ‘Open Network View’.See figure 5 below. 6540515303500Figure SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 5. Opening the network view of quotation from document margin in ATLAS.ti 7 Windows.After the network view has been created and the quotation has been inserted into it, you can proceed to add codes and link them to the quotation. Do as follows:Open the quotation network viewPlace it side-by-side the side panel or the Code ManagerDrag and drop the codes of your preference into the network viewProceed to link the codes to the quotation. See the figure 6 below. Also, watch this video tutorial, which demonstrates how to create the quotation network view in ATLAS.ti 7 Windows and how to code inside of it.-4889518034000Figure SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 6. Inserting codes into network and linking them to quotation in ATLAS.ti 7 Windows.ConclusionI have learned that there is the tendency among new users of ATLAS.ti to overemphasize the importance of coding. Qualitative data analysis with the software involves much more than coding.? All of the different tools, when used in an intertwined manner, enrich the process of analysis and allow for the necessary balancing between fragmentation and integration of the data.? Although I agree that we do need to fragment through coding to capture the essence of the information and to generalize beyond a specific unit of the discourse, we also need to integrate in order to move towards a holistic representation of the phenomenon under study (see this blog article).?Coding in a network helps to bridge the gap between fragmentation and integration.? It provides the opportunity to code by not losing sight of the linkages between the quotation and other elements of the project, beyond the immediate quotation surroundings. However, and importantly, the decision as to whether or not to code in a network, when to do it, and how many linkages should be included, must respond to practical needs. Like many procedures in ATLAS.ti, you will only code in this way if doing so helps you in analysis.? You are the judge.Note: To learn about networks in ATLAS.ti Mac, read starting on page 61 of the manual (download from here) and/or watch this video tutorial. To learn about networks in ATLAS.ti 7 Windows, read starting on page 280 of the manual (download from here) and/or watch this video tutorial. ................
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