The process of marking segments of data with symbols, descriptive words, or category names is known as:

The process of marking segments of data with symbols, descriptive words, or category names is known as: Options: (a) Concurring (b) Coding (c) Coloring (d) Segmenting ✅ Correct Option: (b) Coding Explanation (200+ words): Coding is the core process of qualitative data analysis. It involves labeling segments of data—such as interview transcripts, field notes, or documents—with symbols, words, or phrases that represent meaningful categories. Coding helps researchers organize raw data into manageable and interpretable units. Through coding, patterns, themes, and relationships begin to emerge. Codes can be descriptive, interpretive, or theoretical, depending on the research approach. Coding is not a one-time activity; it is iterative and evolves as researchers refine their understanding of the data. Without coding, qualitative data would remain unstructured and difficult to analyze. Hence, coding is fundamental to qualitative research methodology. 10 PPSC-Related Facts: 1. Coding organizes qualitative data 2. First step in analysis 3. Can be manual or digital 4. Helps identify themes 5. Used in grounded theory 6. Iterative process 7. Supports theory building 8. Enhances data interpretation 9. Core research skill 10. Common PPSC MCQ