Meaning units tab
The Meaning units tab in your output Excel file is the foundation of the thematization process. It shows how your verbatim responses have been segmented and prepared for coding.
What are meaning units?
- Meaning units are segments of text extracted from each verbatim response.
- Each unit represents a distinct idea, opinion, or theme expressed by the respondent.
- Segmenting responses into meaning units allows for more precise and granular coding.
Structure of the tab
- Verbatim: The original open-ended response from the participant.
- Meaning units: The individual segments identified within each verbatim.
- Each meaning unit is listed alongside its corresponding verbatim, making it easy to trace back to the original context.
Example
| Verbatim | Meaning Unit |
|---|---|
| "I love the design and the color, but it's too heavy" | "love the design" |
| "love the color" | |
| "too heavy" |
Why are meaning units important?
- Accuracy: Ensures each idea is coded separately, improving the quality of your analysis.
- Clarity: Makes it easier to see how complex responses are broken down and interpreted.
- Flexibility: Allows for more nuanced coding, especially when responses contain multiple themes.
Best practices
- Review the meaning units to ensure they accurately reflect the content and intent of the original verbatims.
- If you notice recurring uncoded segments, consider updating your code frame and re-running the codification process.
tip
Meaning units are the building blocks of qualitative analysis. Careful segmentation leads to more meaningful and actionable insights.