Deductive and Inductive Approaches to Qualitative Coding

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Inductive and Deductive Coding
Inductive and deductive coding are two different approaches to qualitative coding. You can choose one or the other, or utilize a hybrid approach of both.
Inductive coding
Inductive coding is a ground-up approach where you derive your codes from the data. You don’t start with preconceived notions of what the codes should be, but allow the narrative or theory to emerge from the raw data itself. This is great for exploratory research or times when you want to come up with new theories, ideas, or concepts.
Deductive Coding
Deductive coding is a top-down approach where you start by developing a codebook with your initial set of codes. This set could be based on your research questions or an existing research framework or theory. You then read through the data and assign excerpts to codes. At the end of your analysis, your codes should still closely resemble the codebook that you started off with. This is good when you have a pre-determined structure for how you need your final findings to be. For example, program evaluation studies may utilize a deductive approach.

[@TheUmaragu]

Very nice explanation; I love the clarity with this was explained. Top-down and Ground-up.

[@DelveTool]

Glad the video was helpful!

[@lobato114]

I really like this concept. I think it's similar to what I'm doing after structural coding in my transcript- having developed piori from research questions, I am now looking through the codes and finding emerging themes (sounds like inductive coding to me), as a second round. I couldn't find a reference for this as "inductive coding" in the saldaña manual though, any references that I might be able to use?

[@DelveTool]

Hi Pedro, sounds like you are deductively coding via structural coding, and then inductively coding from that. That hybrid approach (I’ve heard it referred to as abductive coding) is a very common one. Saldaña manual doesn’t have a section on inductive coding specifically (though there is a quick mention, and some references to inductive reasoning). It may be because inductive coding is a broad term that can describe a wide range of deriving your codes from the data. So many of the approaches that Saldaña mentions can be a part of someone conducting inductive coding. For example Initial Coding (1st cycle) followed by Focused Coding (2nd cycle) would be an inductive approach to coding

[@DelveTool]

While not knowing exactly how you are approaching it, you may be doing a 1st cycle of Structural Coding combined with another other first cycle methods such as In Vivo/Descriptive coding to inductively create some codes

[@DelveTool]

And as you find themes that’s where you’re using what Saldaña describes as a second cycle coding method such as Focused/Axial/Theoretical coding

[@VijayKumar-yd2qv]

excellent

[@DelveTool]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@harshit_seth]

Can you tell about manual inductive coding?

[@DelveTool]

You may find our blog post on inductive and deductive coding helpful: delvetool.com/blog/deductiveinductive

[@nelisiwendovela6068]

Is thematic analysis the same as inductive analysis?

[@DelveTool]

Thanks for your questions! Thematic analysis utilizes inductive coding, however they are not the same thing. You can learn more about thematic analysis here: delvetool.com/blog/thematicanalysis

[@ShioOtanashi]

thanks, but i hope they'd show more examples. stupid people, like me, won't be able to understand this immediately

[@DelveTool]

We have more resources on our blog you might find useful: delvetool.com/blog/deductiveinductive

[@user-pl3qi1qm8u]

I hate uni for making me do this

[@DelveTool]

Hey, I totally get where you're coming from, but hear me out. Learning qualitative analysis in uni was actually a game-changer for me. It brought the human experience to life and helped me uncover meaningful insights. It's a creative journey that might change your perspective and open up new possibilities. Give it a chance, and you might be pleasantly surprised!