This step in the coding process follows open coding. The overall process is one of relating categories of information to the central phenomenon category.

This is a unit of information analyzed in grounded theory research. It is composed of events, happenings, and instances of phenomenon and given a short label.

In axial coding, these are the categories of conditions that cause or influence the central phenomenon to occur.

In open coding, the researcher chooses a central category around which to develop the theory by examining his or her open coding categories and selecting one that holds the most conceptual interest, is most frequently discussed by participants in the study, and is most "saturated" with information. The researcher then places it at the center of his or her grounded theory model.

Also known as logic diagram. In axial coding, the central phenomenon, causal conditions, context, intervening conditions, strategies, and consequences are portrayed in a visual diagram. This diagram is drawn with boxes and arrows indicating the process or flow of activities.