Activity 3
Instructions:
In this discussion forum, you will reflect on how open coding and axial coding can be applied to a specific research scenario in cyberpsychology. You are required to read the research scenario below and participate by answering the prompts in the forum. This activity will help you apply qualitative coding techniques and engage with your peers.
Research Scenario:
You are conducting a qualitative study on the effects of social media on teenagers’ mental health. You have collected interview data from 15 participants. Some key themes that have emerged include social comparison, validation through likes, and feelings of inadequacy.
Discussion Prompts:
Open Coding
Based on the scenario, what would be your first step in applying open coding to this dataset?
Prompt: Describe how you would start breaking down the data into categories. What initial codes might you assign to the interview responses?
Axial Coding
After completing open coding, how would you apply axial coding to explore relationships between the categories?
Prompt: Discuss how you might link codes like "social comparison" and "validation through likes" to form a deeper understanding of the teenagers' mental health.
Challenges in Coding
What potential challenges do you foresee in applying open and axial coding to this study? How would you address these challenges?
Prompt: Reflect on difficulties such as overlapping codes or bias, and suggest strategies to overcome them.
Submission Guidelines:
Post a response to each prompt (50-100 words each).
Reply to at least one peer’s post with a constructive comment or suggestion.