title: Iterative categorization (IC): a systematic technique for analysing qualitative data.
abstract: The processes of analysing qualitative data, particularly the stage between coding and publication, are often vague and/or poorly explained within addiction science and research more broadly. A simple but rigorous and transparent technique for analysing qualitative textual data, developed within the field of addiction, is described. The technique, iterative categorization (IC), is suitable for use with inductive and deductive codes and can support a range of common analytical approaches, e.g. thematic analysis, Framework, constant comparison, analytical induction, content analysis, conversational analysis, discourse analysis, interpretative phenomenological analysis and narrative analysis. Once the data have been coded, the only software required is a standard word processing package. Worked examples are provided.
authors.affiliation: Reader in Qualitative and Mixed Methods Research, National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.|Conjoint Professor, Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Neale
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: Coding; inductive analysis; iterative categorization; qualitative data analysis; qualitative research; research methods