Collaborative Zoom Coding—A Novel Approach to Qualitative Analysis

Abstract

During the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, web conferencing became a staple in professional communication, with new and evolving applications amidst unique social distancing measures mandated across the globe. In this article, we describe Collaborative Zoom Coding (CZC) as an adaptive approach to qualitative data analysis that our research team developed in light of social distancing measures imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. CZC uses the web conferencing platform Zoom, to help analyze data. Our team used CZC to develop a code book for the community-based research (CBR) project, Sexual Health and Diasporic Experiences of Shadeism (SHADES). CZC enabled all team members to participate in data analysis by providing opportunities for group training and real-time collaborative data analysis, irrespective of team members’ location and level of experience with research. This article describes our specific processes for CZC and outlines its advantages as well as challenges. We conclude with a discussion of how researchers can conduct collaborative coding using Zoom and other conferencing technologies to further democratize the research process, particularly for community-based research endeavors.