# Qualitative research: interviews, coding and interpretation

Decision workbook and teaching example · 2026-10-06

The completed case is fictional. Its values and decisions are not actual findings; complete your project using relevant permissions, methods and requirements.

- Project: ____________________
- Researcher and role: ____________________
- Date and version: ____________________
- Data seen before the decision: ____________________
- Aim and scope: ____________________

## Completed example

| Stage/decision | Example | Check or action |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Prompt | Experience without a forced answer | Compatible with the approach? |
| Sample | Relevant diversity and ethical access | Is selection explained? |
| Code | Access-route uncertainty in synthetic text | Is it grounded in context? |
| Interpretation | Comparison and reflexive memo | Are contrasts and counterexamples considered? |
| Report | Permitted non-identifying excerpts | Are consent and COREQ applicability assessed? |

## Complete your own record

| Topic | Actual decision and reason | Evidence link and status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Prompt | __________ | __________ |
| Sample | __________ | __________ |
| Code | __________ | __________ |
| Interpretation | __________ | __________ |
| Report | __________ | __________ |

## Completion checks

- [ ] Create an interview guide, interpretation log and permitted coding example.

## Changes and limitations

| Date | Change | Data known at decision time | Reason | Consequence for claim | Reviewer |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |

## Sources and further reading

- [EQUATOR — COREQ for interviews and focus groups](https://www.equator-network.org/reporting-guidelines/coreq/)
- [EQUATOR Network — Reporting guidelines](https://www.equator-network.org/)
- [CASP — Critical appraisal checklists](https://casp-uk.net/casp-tools-checklists/)

Related guide: https://didgar-research-site1.vercel.app/en/guides/qualitative-research/