Key points at a glance
- Clean and anonymise responses.
- Define coding unit and categories.
- Interpret counts alongside text.
Define your material and unit
Export responses with a nonidentifying case ID. Remove names and sensitive details before selecting quotations. Decide whether one answer may receive several codes; with short answers that rule changes how frequencies are counted.
Test categories against answers
Example: Asked what hinders learning, respondents write “shift work”, “long commute” and “no quiet room”. One broad “time” code hides different barriers. Code a small sample, define boundaries and test ambiguous cases before coding the whole set.
Report patterns without false precision
State the number of usable answers and how multiple codes were handled. Support categories with short anonymised extracts. Count words only if word frequency addresses the question. A short voluntary survey field does not substitute for an in-depth interview.
Show selection and missingness
Report how many respondents skipped the open question. People with strong views may be more likely to write optional text. Include contradictory responses and do not infer motives that the brief answers cannot establish.
Final submission context
Formal details can feel like a separate writing task, but they matter just as much for a printed submission. Anything missing, misplaced or inconsistently formatted in the document will also appear in the bound copy.
Use this guide together with your cover page, table of contents, page numbers, source notes and appendices. Prepare the final PDF for printing and binding only after the complete file has been checked.
Practical check before PDF export
- Do headings, chapter structure and page numbers match?
- Are sources, figures and tables included completely?
- Are required elements such as declarations, appendices or the cover page included where required?
- Did you open and check the final PDF after exporting it?
Checklist
- Anonymised answers.
- Defined coding unit.
- Tested codebook.
- Reported nonresponse.
Common mistakes
- Counting words alone.
- Hiding multiple coding.
- Treating short answers like representative interviews.
Prepare the finished thesis for submission
Once the content and university requirements are checked, review your PDF and the available printing and binding options.
Review printing optionsRelated content
Explore related guidance on thesis structure, sources, formatting and final submission.
Frequently asked questions
May an answer receive multiple codes?
Yes if the rule is explicit and consistently applied.
Do I need software?
No; a transparent spreadsheet and codebook may be sufficient.
May I report percentages?
Yes, with a clear denominator and note on optional responses.