Using tags to code qualitative research + 20 research tag examples

One way researchers analyze data is by using tags to code qualitative research. Once data is collected, the process of naming, describing, and classifying data is referred to as analysis.Tagging data is a significant and influential step in the analysis phase of research.

What is Tagging?

A tag is a label used to assign meaning, classify, or “code” data. Tags code pieces of meaningful qualitative data in order to:

• Trace back data to the original source, e.g., person 1, person 2 
• Create a new relationship or added layer of meaning. 
• Evolve raw data into information.

An example of a common tag used in research is to label or tag data by personas. For example, if we set out to learn about the challenges of remote learning, then we might start by interviewing parents, teachers, and students. As we collect that data, we’d use methods to label and group that data with a tag for teacher, student, or parent. This method gives us new data points to pull apart our data and find patterns.

The primary objective of using tags to code qualitative research is to add a layer of meaning to raw data. With these new layers of meaning, data evolves into information, which is more valuable and rich with potential for learning than raw data alone.

Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze?

Using tags to code qualitative research requires thought, intention, and some actions that can sometimes feel tedious for the researchers involved.

So is the juice worth the squeeze? Is it worth the effort and time to code qualitative research? The answer, like most topics of research methods, is it depends. The value derived from using tags to code qualitative research depends on the dataset and the tags you choose to use. Not all tags are created equal.

A good strategy with tags can identify tension and discover rich patterns. A poor strategy with tags requires the same time and effort, but won’t yield as valuable takeaways or perspectives. 

As a whole, the group of tags you choose to use is referred to either as your framework or, in a slightly more technical way, as your tag taxonomy.

What is a Tag Taxonomy?

In biology, taxonomy is the science of naming, describing, and classifying. Anthropologists use taxonomy to identify and enumerate different species, including new ones. As the naming and classification continue, anthropologists create a repository of knowledge underpinning the management of biological diversity. 

The emergence of this naming system establishes a defined methodology of analysis. The naming system also comes with an accompanying description that describes the naming process so that other people can name a similar finding by themselves. 

In short, taxonomy identifies a difference, helps other researchers contribute to a data repository, and helps people make sure they're talking about the same thing. These are the principles of creating a repository taxonomy through tagging. 

How to define a tag taxonomy for research?

There are several ‘tried and true’ methods and frameworks for tagging qualitative data. Usually we call upon those frameworks in the beginning of a new research initiative and incorporate our tag taxonomy to the research documentation. Other times we might realize new tags we want to include to our taxonomy once we’ve started analysis and realize a new classification is needed. 

One thing to consider about a tag taxonomy is that depending on the data practices influencing your research as a whole, you might only be concerned with a tag taxonomy for a specific project. Alternatively you might also contend with how your body of research work contributes to a larger repository or collection of research projects. In that case you might need to include some broader tags into your analysis phase and consider how those tags will compliment or work together with your project-specific tags. 

In either case, there are a few ways to break down and think about your tag taxonomy which are outlined below.

Global tags 

Global tags are excellent for zooming out of data and tracking data sets across different projects on a repository. Generally, global tags are agnostic to the set of data and can be used over and over again for a variety of research initiatives. A few examples of global tags are:

• Participant;  e.g. participant 1,  participant 2 
• Data source; e.g. remote usability testing 
• Mental Models; e.g. needs, thoughts, feelings
• Personas
• Sentiment 
• Customer phase e.g. awareness, decision-making 

Here are some examples of specific global tags to get started with:

Mental Models 

• Needs
• Pain Points
• Desires
• Actions
• Feelings
• Fears
• Motivation
• Thoughts
• Trust

Journey

• High point
• Low point
• The 5 e’s of Customer Journey (Entice, Enter, Engage, Exit, Extend)

Type

• Quote
• Observation
• Behavior

Project tags 

Project tags are good for zooming in on a set of data. These types of tags are specific to data and research goals. Examples of tags are:

• Feature, e.g., to analyze how a user interacts with different features 
• Feedback, e.g., to analyze the feedback a user provides as they move through different steps of the customer journey 
• Tools, e.g., to find out the tools people are using 
• Behaviors 
• Topics 
  

Challenges with Tags & Taxonomies

An introduction to using tags to code qualitative research would be incomplete without exploring a few common challenges associated with tags.

Confirmation Bias

It’s always a good exercise to question or poke at your tag taxonomy to find potential bias. Creating a tagging system to name and classify what you already know makes it easy to establish a taxonomy that focuses or indexes on existing assumptions. 

One way to navigate confirmation bias is to conduct assumption mapping. Gather your research team, discuss your assumptions, measure your confidence for each assumption, and then nudge yourself toward using tags that index on the unknown.

Knowledge gaps

It's not obvious what methodology researchers should use to tag data. What's more, taxonomy is a learned methodology, which means researchers cannot apply what they do not know. Consequently, it's up to lead researchers and design teams to introduce tagging as a methodology to researchers and for those decisions to be made, then enforced through good data management practices.

Time constraints 

It takes time to analyze data, create a suitable taxonomy, and apply it to existing data. Without appropriate research support within an organization or research team, researchers may not find the time to create and use tags. In the face of time constraints, researchers have to do cost-benefit analysis to help prioritize a minimally viable taxonomy or get by with more anecdotal analysis over a rigorous approach. Fortunately more tags does not necessarily correlate with better research outcomes and often narrowing the scope of a taxonomy is a better alternative than a bloated and more time-consuming approach.

Tagging Automation

There are some instances where automated tagging can be a worthwhile investment. For example, in very large datasets or when faced with time constraints, it can be worth it to invest in tools that automatically classify data. For example, in Notably we use AI to help researchers automatically analyze sentiment and more.

Creating a Tagging Taxonomy as a Team 

Creating a tagging taxonomy as a team is a great way to create a reliable coding system, reduce bias, and discover new analysis opportunities.

• First, invite your researchers together and introduce the initiative for a tagging taxonomy, types of tags, and barriers to tagging.
• Take a sample of your data and zoom in (project tags) or zoom out (global tags).
• Establish a shared tagging system with some basic documentation to define what the tags mean.
• Continually review the tagging taxonomy for gaps and accuracy.
• Train your algorithms to capture data and produce consistent results .

Questions to Consider 

Using tags to code qualitative data solves an analysis problem. To create the right tags, researchers could consider questions such as:

• Am I imposing my views and perspectives on data?
• Does this tag reveal anything new about the data?
• Does this tag account for the context of the data?
• Can this tag be split further or can I merge my tags for more simplicity?
• Can my tags work together in unique ways or layers to identify tension or patterns?
• Do our tags help us meet the goals of the research project?
• What are the keywords for qualitative tags?
• Can we automate the tagging process?
• How can we help our team use our tag taxonomy in a consistent and accurate way?

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Transforming your coding & tagging process with Notably

In the ever-evolving realm of qualitative research, Notably unlocks a new dimension of efficiency and depth in the synthesis and presentation of research findings. From the foundational principles of creating and managing tags to the advanced features of suggested tagging and automated analysis, Notably equips researchers with unparalleled tools to navigate the complexities of qualitative data. The ability to seamlessly create, edit, and merge tags within a master database ensures consistency across research projects, while the distinction between project tags and global tags offers flexibility in tailoring the tagging taxonomy to project-specific goals or overarching organizational themes.

Whether you are a seasoned researcher or embarking on your first project, we invite you to explore the transformative potential of tags. With AI-powered capabilities, Notably simplifies the tagging process, making it intuitive and accessible. The integration of suggested tags, driven by historical data and customized tag taxonomies, further enhances the accuracy and speed of qualitative analysis. As you embark on your qualitative research journey, let Notably be your guide, empowering you to uncover rich patterns, challenge assumptions, and derive meaningful insights.

You can sign up to run an end to end research project for free and receive tips on how to make the most out of your data. Want to chat about how Notably can help your team do better, faster research? Book some time here for a 1:1 demo with your whole team.