Coding and Retrieval
If all your data are word processed on in some other computer readable form it will be possible for your primary documents to be accessed directly by the software. The software can search the text itself and allocate codes to specified units of text. More powerful software will display the documents on screen in your chosen format. Identification of text units may be by line number although more powerful software offers you the facility of choosing the most appropriate size of text unit for your type of data b highlighting the appropriate section of text in the document window. Data are coded by selecting a unit of text and directing it either to a new or to an existing code address. A text unit may be directed to any number of code addresses. Some software offers a facility for coding non computer readable data such as videotapes audiotapes maps photographs or archival texts.