This categorization of information is an important step, for example, in preparing data for computer processing with statistical software.
For quantitative analysis, data is coded usually into measured and recorded as nominal or ordinal variables.
In social sciences, spreadsheets such as Excel and more advanced software packages such as R, Matlab, PSPP/SPSS, DAP/SAS, MiniTab and Stata are often used.
For disciplines in which a qualitative format is preferential, including ethnography, humanistic geography or phenomenological psychology a varied approach to coding can be applied.
Some examples of first cycle coding methods include: The process can be done manually, which can be as simple as highlighting different concepts with different colours, or fed into a software package.
Some examples of qualitative software packages include Atlas.ti, MAXQDA, NVivo, QDA Miner, and RQDA.
Regardless of the type of memo produced, what is important is that the process initiates critical thinking and productivity in the research.