Dalila Missero and Daniela Treveri Gen
As a crucial stage in qualitative research, the analytical and processual practice of ‘coding’ reflects a variety of theoretical and methodological perspectives. In audience studies, the investigation of cinema-going and media consumption requires the analysis of a heterogeneous array of research materials (i.e. interviews, surveys, archival materials, social media posts) that are the product and reflection of people’s lives. In contrast to the collective and participatory nature of these data sets, their analysis is often conducted individually, with limited opportunities to share concerns and best practices. Indeed, in the moment of setting their coding tools, researchers confront several questions, like: what is the best way to collect, process and store these complex data sets? How can we balance our theoretical concerns with the materiality of our sources? Is it possible to think of ‘coding’ as an ethical and accountable practice? In this informal workshop, we would like to explore these challenges, and possibly many others, through the sharing of individual and collaborative experiences with ‘coding’ in audience and reception research. We invited brief presentations (5/7 minutes) to illustrate the tools, challenges and best practices drawn from a particular research project. The workshop was open to scholars at every stage of career (including research students), and welcomed both finished and on-going projects.