Memo Types: Examples from the Institute for Mixed Methods Research

Memo Types: Examples

Memos are a great tool to track and organize notes related to code development, analysis, team notes, code questions, reflexive notes, and more. Memos can be thought of as small post-it notes that you can attach to nearly any element in Dedoose or written freeform.

The Institute for Mixed Methods Research offer some great examples of various memo types from their book "Qualitative and Mixed Methods Data Analysis using Dedoose: A Practical Approach for Research across the Social Sciences": 

Reflective Memos:  

• Personal journals/diaries
• Self-monitor researcher as instrument 

Analytic Memos:  

• Captures preliminary interpretations and meanings
• Illuminates the researcher’s interpretive processes 

Inductive/Deductive Shift Memos:  

• Captures intentional/unintentional shifts in reasoning 
• Particularly in mixed methods inquiry 

Methods Memos:  

• Documents the basis for design decisions
• Provides an audit trail of design changes 

Code Development Memos:

• Documents how codes were created and their meanings developed
• Logs any changes made to codes
• Document any questions researchers have about their code interpretations/applications