Coding Frame Psychology

Coding Frame: Psychology Definition

Coding frames are a method of analysis used to convert qualitative, visual (e.g. video recordings) or auditory data into quantitative numerical data. Typically, a researcher identifies specific behaviours, phrases, or words to look for in advance. Researchers use abbreviations or 'codes' to record the behaviours and may code for subtypes within that behaviour to indicate severity.

The coding frame is used in psychological research to analyse data collected using qualitative methods, such as unstructured interviews or observations. These can then be analysed using content analysis. The content analysis process uses coding frames to complete the analysis.

Coding Frame Importance in Psychology

For research to be considered reliable and valid, researchers are trained to use coding frameworks. The researchers may be trained to follow a standardised protocol to use the same methods and techniques. Standardised procedures are used in psychology because it increases the research's reliability.

When using coding frames in psychology, researchers must ensure that they write explicit instructions explaining how the variables in the coding variable were measured and include any inclusion/ exclusion criterion considered.

In addition, the variables being assessed must be operationalised, which will increase the validity of the study.

In research, variables must be operationalised, meaning researchers must specify what the variable is and how they intend to measure it.

The coding framework is important in psychological research:

• It allows researchers to quantify qualitative data, which makes it easier to compare results with previous findings, and it also makes it easier to conclude.

• It helps researchers identify themes, patterns, and trends in the data.

• Provides researchers with a framework to guide analysis. Identifying themes and compiling them gives researchers a framework to use in the future.

Fig. 2 - Researchers tally behaviours; the tally represents the frequency a behaviour is observed.

Coding Frame Examples

For simplicity, here is a research scenario of an interview extract between the interviewer and a young child who is a victim of bullying at school. The research purpose was to find out how bullying victimisation affects children.

Let's see how a researcher could transform this qualitative data into quantitative data.

Using the example transcript, the researcher can identify two main themes used for analysis. These are:

• Avoidance behaviour.

• Negative emotions.

The next step is to determine how frequently these themes appear in the transcript:

• Avoidance behaviour: twice ('I stay away from the bad kids' and '[...] I sit and watch them'). The researcher can infer avoidance behaviour if the child chooses not to play with the other children.

• Negative emotions: two (sad and scared).

The analyst usually counts the frequency of the theme in the data.

This research scenario explains how coding frames can be used in psychological research to understand phenomena.

Coding Frames Advantages

The coding frame advantages are:

• They allow researchers to perform statistical analyses on data that were initially qualitative. This process is beneficial because it is easier to draw conclusions and compare results in relation to qualitative data.

• They can increase the reliability and validity of the research if the researchers are trained in the use of the coding frames. In addition, coding frames are carefully designed (e.g., behavioural categories are operationalised, improving the reliability and validity of the research).

  • This aspect underscores the importance of the coding framework in psychological research.

• Researchers can identify specific behaviours that may represent patterns and reveal new information in this area of research, affecting the overall paradigm of the field.

Coding Frame Disadvantages

The coding frame disadvantages are:

• When quantifying qualitative data, the researcher more easily misses important data that could contribute to a deeper understanding of the phenomena.

• The researcher's bias may influence the analysis. The researcher may subconsciously select certain data in the coding frame that may influence the study results, thus affecting the validity of the results.

• Analysis can be time-consuming. Observing and analysing each behaviour to determine if it fits the predetermined codes requires a great deal of time and discipline.