Qualitative coding can be painfully slow.
You’re overwhelmed by the sheer volume of data you need to code.
You’re second-guessing your coding approach and structure.
You’re uncertain how to apply your codes consistently.
You’re going in circles and wasting time.
We’ve helped 5000+ clients fast-track their research.
With our qualitative coding service, you can effortlessly shave weeks – even months – off your project timeline.
Simply send us your data and our team of PhD-qualified experts will meticulously hand-code your qualitative data, ensuring a strong foundation for your analysis.
How qualitative coding works.
Getting your data perfectly coded is as easy as 1,2,3.
1. We Quote
Input your details and we’ll send your quote in less than a minute.
2: We Code
Our PhD-qualified experts will get to work coding the data in line with your research methodology.
3. We Deliver
We’ll send you the coded files. If you need help analysing the data, we also offer Private Coaching.
What students say.
We can toot our horn all day – but it’s what our clients say that really matters.
My Coach, Amy, saved my life. I met her during the most challenging time in my thesis. People around me constantly reminded me how bad I am at writing, and I ended up anxious and depressed. Then I met Amy, who agreed to help me improve my work. I have no words to explain how amazing she is as a teacher and a human being.
Damithri Chathumani (NZ)
So helpful! Amy assisted me with an outline for my literature review and with organizing the results for my MBA applied research project. Having a road map helped enormously and saved a lot of time. Definitely worth it.
Jennifer Hagedorn (Canada)
I had been struggling with the first 3 chapters of my dissertation for over a year. I finally decided to give GradCoach a try and it made a huge difference. Alexandra provided helpful suggestions along with edits that transformed my paper. My advisor was very impressed.
Tracy Shelton (US)
Everything about my experience was great, from Dr. Shaeffer’s expertise, to her patience and flexibility. I reached out to GradCoach after receiving a 78 on a midterm paper. Not only did I get a 100 on my final paper in the same class, but I haven’t received a mark less than A+ since. I recommend GradCoach for everyone who needs help with academic research.
Antonia Singleton (Qatar)
I was provided with the perfect level of support for my dissertation which allowed me to achieve a distinction level. I learnt a lot more through the experience due to the probing questions put to me by my coach, which led me to a deeper evaluation and analysis (and understanding) of my data.
Belle Moore (US)
Using Grad Coach was the best decision that I could have made. Apart from all the help that I received from Derek, I have also seen a tremendous improvement in my writing as well as my critical thinking not only in my assignments but also in my workplace.
Derek has a beautiful way of teaching, encouraging and honesty in his feedback. His style gives each module a level of excitement, and although it remains challenging, I never once found myself bored or confused.
Loyiso Bala (South Africa)
Flemming Vinding (Denmark)
Jenny Patterson (US)
I contacted Grad Coach after finding immense value in their YouTube channel, podcasts, and other free services. I requested an initial meeting where my concerns were immediately addressed. Within an hour and a half of coaching from Dr. Al-Saraf, I received more guidance and education than I did in four years of my doctoral program.
The clarity made the dissertation process much quicker, smoother, and fun. I wish I had invested in Grad Coach sooner when I realized I would not get the support I had hoped from my program. Dr. Al-Saraf- Thank You!
Rachel Zaiger (US)
PS. You can read more verified reviews here.
Working with Kerryn has been brilliant. She has guided me through that pesky academic language that makes us all scratch our heads. I can't recommend Grad Coach highly enough; they are very professional, humble, and fun to work with. If like me, you know your subject matter but you're getting lost in the academic language, look no further, give them a go.
Tony Fogarty (UK)
I’m proud to say that I got my dissertation in, submitted on time and even got a great mark and very positive marker feedback. All thanks to the superstars at Grad Coach. Thank you so much.
John Peterson (UK)
I started using Grad Coach for my dissertation and I can honestly say that if it wasn’t for them, I would have really struggled. I would strongly recommend them – worth every penny!
Richard Egenreider (South Africa)
Grad Coach is saving my sanity and hope while completing my dissertation. Coach Ethar is outstanding - he brings his joy and wisdom into each session. I know he is there for my success. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the magnitude of this work, he has helped me break each section into manageable steps. Don’t go it alone - Grad Coach is amazing.
Michelle Thompson (US)
Laura Molisho (US)
Looking back, I don’t know how I would have made it without the Grad Coach team. Thank you so much!
Julia Deniston (UK)
I would have been lost with Dr. Peter Quella coaching me through some of the toughest parts of the dissertation. His insight allowed me to understand the feedback from my committee and be able to respond in a meaningful way.
It was helpful to be able to hear his insights and apply them to my dissertation work. Thank you Peter and Grad Coach!
Joseph Yaksich (US)
Lalita Naidoo (UK)
I had the privilege of working with Dr. Ethar Al-Saraf as my Research Coach through Grad Coach, and I could not have asked for a better person to assist me on my dissertation journey. He brought exceptional expertise, dedication, and clarity to every stage of the process, making what often seemed insurmountable not only manageable but enjoyable. His feedback was always insightful, detailed, and tailored to my specific needs, allowing me to grow both as a researcher and as a writer.
Dr. Al-Saraf’s supportive and encouraging demeanor made a significant difference. His commitment to my success was evident in every session, and his guidance has been invaluable in helping me achieve my goals. I wholeheartedly recommend Ethar and the Grad Coach team to anyone seeking support. Thank you for an outstanding experience!
Berlyn Cooper-Howard (US)
Why smart researchers choose Grad Coach.
100% Manual Coding
Your data will be manually coded by real humans who understand your project. We don’t use any AI or automated software.
Context-Sensitive
Your data will be coded in line with your research aims and objectives, as well as your broader research methodology.
Insider Advantage
Our coders all hold doctoral-level degrees and share 100+ years of combined experience. Put simply, they know what markers want.
Audio Friendly
If you’re working with audio recordings and haven’t yet transcribed them, our team can take care of the transcription as well.
Still have questions?
Check out our coding FAQs below or pop us an email.
Qualitative Coding
Do you code manually or with software?
To ensure the highest quality of coding, we code all content completely manually (in other words, it’s done by humans).
Coding is handled by our experienced, highly-qualified team of qualitative research specialists. All our coders have extensive academic experience, are native English speakers (from the US, UK and SA) and have worked on numerous research projects.
We do not use any automation or software-based coding tools, as these tools can never be as accurate and effective as human-based coding. Quality is our priority.
Can I see a sample/example of your coding?
Yes, certainly. You can download a sample project here.
What format do you provide the coded content in?
We code all content in Word, using the comments feature to label the respective words and phrases. We then export all coded content into an Excel spreadsheet for easy navigation, filtering and sorting. You can view a sample of this here.
Can your coding be imported into NVivo, ATLAS.ti, MaxQDA, etc.?
The summary Excel spreadsheet that we provide (see example here) can be imported into most qualitative analysis software packages. However, you should check the import capabilities of your chosen software beforehand, to ensure compatibility.
My interviews aren't transcribed yet. Can you code these?
We will need transcribed versions of your interviews. If you need us to transcribe, we do offer a transcription service in addition to coding. We will quote you separately for this service if needed.
What is the process if I work with you?
The typical engagement process is as follows:
1 – Quote
First, we’ll have an initial discussion (over email or Google Meet) to understand your project and specific requirements. Once we have these details, we’ll provide you with a firm quote and timeline.
2 – Project kickoff
You’ll send us your data (e.g., interview transcripts), along with the details regarding your research aims and objectives, research questions and methodology, so that we can assess the best possible approach to coding your data.
3 – Approval and execution
We’ll review all the information and propose a coding structure/approach. Once you’ve agreed to this, we’ll get to work coding and send you the completed project as per the agreed timeline.
How long will it take to get my data coded?
This depends on a few factors, including the size and complexity of your dataset, as well as our capacity at your time of enquiring. We have completed coding projects in as little as 24 hours, but a typical project requires at least a few days.
Feel free to request a quotation, at which point we’ll also confirm our availability/timelines.
How much does coding cost?
Our fee is based on the quantity and length of the interview transcripts (or any other text-based data set).
For a rough indication of typical costs, please visit the pricing page. For a firm quotation, please email us or book a free initial consultation.
What format do you require the data to be in?
We code in Microsoft Word, so please send us your data in this format (i.e., DOCX). If your documents are in another format, we can convert them to Word format, but this will impact the turnaround time.
Can you code my interviews one by one, as I complete them?
We can, but we don’t recommend it. We recommend that you wait until you have your complete data set before starting with the coding process. Coding is an iterative process, and so we need to review the entire data set (e.g., all interviews) to ensure a comprehensive coding structure.
Should I include my interview questions in my transcripts?
Yes, we need these in order to understand the context of each response.
Can you assist with the qualitative analysis as well?
We can assist you in undertaking your analysis on a coaching basis, but this is separate from the coding service. If you would like guidance through the analysis phase, please book an initial consultation with one of our friendly coaches to discuss how we can help you.
Please keep in mind that the analysis itself needs to be your own work. We can coach you through the process step by step and provide detailed feedback regarding your writing, but we cannot write up your analysis for you, as that would constitute academic misconduct.
I still have questions…
No problem. Feel free to email us or book an initial consultation to discuss.