Coding Techniques with Professor Johnny Saldana 10/6/22

Introduction

This tutorial provides an overview of coding techniques discussed by Professor Johnny Saldana in his workshop. The concepts covered are essential for anyone looking to enhance their coding skills or understand the various approaches to data analysis and coding. Each step summarizes a key topic from the workshop, offering practical advice and examples to help you apply these techniques in your work.

Step 1: Understanding the $100K Pyramid

• Concept: The $100K pyramid illustrates the importance of prioritizing coding tasks based on their value and impact.
• Action:
  • Identify high-value tasks that contribute significantly to your project.
  • Organize your coding efforts to focus on these high-impact areas first.

Step 2: Using State and Country Flags as Examples

• Concept: Flags represent unique identifiers and can be used to categorize or classify data.
• Action:
  • Create visual representations of data categories using symbols or icons, similar to flags.
  • Use these visuals to simplify complex datasets and enhance clarity.

Step 3: Differentiating Lumper and Splitter Coders

• Concept: Lumper coders group similar data together, while splitter coders break data into finer categories.
• Action:
  • Determine your approach based on your project's needs:
    • If general patterns are sufficient, use the lumper technique.
    • For detailed analysis, adopt the splitter approach to uncover nuances.

Step 4: Recognizing Patterns in Food Examples

• Concept: Patterns in food preparation can serve as analogies for data coding.
• Action:
  • Analyze a familiar process (like cooking) to identify patterns.
  • Apply these patterns to your coding process to streamline tasks.

Step 5: Coding as Room Decorating

• Concept: Just as room decorating involves arranging elements for functionality and aesthetics, coding requires thoughtful organization.
• Action:
  • Plan your code structure like a room layout, ensuring clarity and ease of navigation.
  • Use consistent naming conventions and organization to improve code readability.

Step 6: Understanding Cycles of Coding with Legos

• Concept: Coding can be cyclical, similar to building with Legos where pieces are assembled, disassembled, and reassembled.
• Action:
  • Embrace iterative coding practices—build, test, and refine your code in cycles.
  • Gather feedback at each stage to improve your coding structure.

Step 7: Implementing In Vivo Coding

• Concept: In vivo coding involves using participants' own words as codes.
• Action:
  • Collect data from participants and identify key phrases or terms.
  • Utilize these terms as coding labels to ensure authenticity in your analysis.

Step 8: Writing Analytic Memos

• Concept: Analytic memos are reflections on data that help in understanding and coding.
• Action:
  • Regularly document your thoughts about the data and coding process.
  • Use memos to capture insights, questions, and ideas for future coding.

Step 9: Practicing Codeweaving

• Concept: Codeweaving integrates multiple codes to create a richer understanding of the data.
• Action:
  • Look for connections between different codes and themes.
  • Create a visual map or diagram to illustrate these relationships.

Step 10: Exploring the Relationship Between Data and Analysts

• Concept: Understanding how data interacts with the analyst's perspective is crucial for effective coding.
• Action:
  • Reflect on how your biases and experiences shape your analysis.
  • Adapt your coding strategies to account for these influences.

Step 11: Engaging in Code Landscaping

• Concept: Code landscaping involves organizing codes into a structured framework.
• Action:
  • Create a visual layout of your codes to see how they relate to each other.
  • Adjust the landscape as your understanding of the data evolves.

Step 12: Implementing Code and Category Branching

• Concept: This technique involves creating branches in your coding structure to accommodate various categories.
• Action:
  • Develop a branching diagram to represent different codes and their relationships.
  • Use this diagram to explore how different categories intersect.

Conclusion

This tutorial outlines the key coding techniques discussed by Professor Johnny Saldana, providing actionable steps to enhance your coding practices. By understanding these concepts and applying them to your projects, you can improve your data analysis skills and achieve more insightful results. Consider exploring each technique further to deepen your understanding and refine your approach to coding.