Our coding scheme was based first of all on the interview schedule that the international team developed in May-June, 1996. In part, the codes reflect the basic organization of the transcript interview schedule, and the subsequent distinctions the coders could identify. These second codes were created by the coders (Lisa Fein and Michael Kennedy, in consultation with Marianne Kamp and Donna Parmelee) after initial readings of a few transcripts. They are designed to capture the major alternative dimensions of discussions of the above basic questions. A few additional codes were introduced after the initial coding sequences were conducted. Any particular line segments could be multiply coded. Transcripts were coded by Fein and Kennedy independently and reviewed together to create a common code for each transcript. These transcripts were subsequently reviewed to assure that consistent coding schemes were used. These codes are best understood as five different types:

1) Several codes are in every text because each moderator was asked to address these issues with specific questions. These include the following most general issues which organized most of the discussion:
IMPROVE refers to the initial part of the discussion in which focus group participants were asked to discuss conditions which have improved over the last ten years. Improvement might be coded later in the transcript if a focus group discussion focuses on improvement rather than problems.
PROBLEMS refers to the second main part of the discussion in which focus group participants were asked to discuss conditions which have gotten worse over the last ten years. Problem might be coded earlier in the transcript if a focus group discussion focuses on a problem rather than an improvement.

2) Preceding these two basic issues (except in one instance), participants were asked to introduce themselves.
IDENTITY refers to participants’ self-identification or the description of the participants by those conducting the focus groups.

After the two basic dimensions of improvements and problems were addressed, moderators led discussants into three other specific dimensions, inquiring into whether any nationality, gender or region suffers more than others with these problems. These issues are discussed in other parts of the transcripts, but they are guaranteed to be addressed because of moderator prompts toward the end of the manuscripts. They include:
ETHNIC refers to the coding of line segments in which discussions of nationality, ethnicity and citizenship are conducted. This includes discussions of national cultural issues.
GENDER refers to the coding of line segments in which discussions of gender issues, explicitly or implicitly, are addressed.
REGION refers to the coding of line segments in which conditions of specific regions within the country or abroad are considered and potentially compared. This includes references to other nations or to general regions like ‘The West’. It also captures discussion of tourism, travel and emigration.

3) Each site team was invited to use probes that assessed the responsibility for conditions, their potential solutions and who specifically benefits or suffers from them. Some teams did this rigorously after each issue was addressed. Some teams did this more occasionally, and in more implicit ways. There are four specific codes which reflect these queries:
BLAME included segments in which responsibility for problems was assigned. This responsibility was often a category of actor (authorities, etc.), but sometimes a condition (enterprise bankruptcies). In some cases, these segments were responses to specific questions about responsibility for a problem. In other cases, they were implied in other discussions. Sometimes the irresponsibility of authorities was identified as a problem in and of itself, rather than as a reason for another problem.
SOLUTION included segments in which solutions to problems were considered. This might refer to a solution, or the criticism of solutions proposed by others. It also includes the final questions and accompanying discussion where focus group participants were asked to identify people who understood their problems.
WHOBENEFITS refers to line segments in which the those who have benefited from the changes of the last ten years are identified. It includes only those people who are living better as a result of the changes, not those who are doing better than others who are also suffering.
WHOSUFFERS refers to line segments in which focus group discussants identify who has suffered most in the last ten years.

4) The following codes were not mandated by the original focus group interview schedule. The coders introduced them to capture salient dimensions of discussion. As such, to the extent that they appear, they are the consequence of focus group interests. There are some exceptions, however, where moderators introduce the subjects rather than allow them to emerge from focus group interests.
CORRUPT refers to segments in which profit or privilege from the abuse of power was identified. This occurs among managers, state officials, health care personnel and others. Actions may be criminal (in which case they are also coded as crime) but are not necessarily so.
CRIME refers to any line segments that discuss crime -- robbery, murder, etc. This sometimes overlaps with corruption.
ECOLOGY refers to environmental concerns. This includes water and air pollution, radioactivity, and the like. This often overlaps with health concerns. In the Kyiv-led focus groups (Kyiv, Ivankiv, and Donetsk women), Chernobyl was identified in the introductory statement as a concern.
EDUCATION refers to line segments discussing schools, teachers, and matters concerning those specifically designated by their measure of education. This code also includes discussions of science and technology.
EMPLOYMENT refers to line segments in which unemployment, underemployment and group or individual conditions of employment.
FREEDOM refers to freedom of speech, press, etc. Also freedom of choice, and opportunity, as well as freedom to work as one wishes. It also captures freedom to travel. It does not address religious freedoms, which are coded separately.
HEALTH refers to health care issues. It also includes corruption among health care providers and health problems resulting from environmental degradation.
INDEPENDENCE refers to the independence of the state, or the adoption of its constitution.
LANGUAGE refers to line segments discussing language, or calling attention to the fact of shifting from one language to another in the focus group discussion.
MILSERVICE refers to military issues, such as war and peace in other places (notably Chechnya) and soldiers’ conditions of work.
MONETARY refers to matters of monetary reform and macroeconomic issues accompanying a transition to a market economy. It addresses broad economic questions like privatization.
RELIGION refers to matters concerning religion, God, etc. It includes freedom to practice religion and religion’s revival.
SALARY refers to the payment of salaries, pensions or other stipends or benefits.
STANDLIV is a broad code that refers to general quality of life issues such the price of goods and their availability (refers to inflation and shortages), the availability and quality of infrastructure, and insecurity about the future.
STRATIF refers to inequalities and explicit comparisons between groups.
TRADE refers to work at the bazaar or selling and buying goods. It can be a problem or improvement, part of the solution or something to blame. It is not coded as such when a trader or that kind of job title is mentioned.
USSR refers to line segments mentioning the disintegration of the USSR, either positively or negatively. It captures all general references to the Soviet period, especially when that past is used to assess the present. It also refers to segments in which control of the economy or regulation of social welfare is discussed.
VALUES refers to statements regarding mercifulness, courtesy, respect, decency and care for others or their opposites. It can be a problem or an improvement. It can explain the problem or be part of the solution. It sometimes overlaps with religion.

5) The following codes refer to segments that vary in length, and are not necessarily a part of what the discussants themselves had to say. They include:
INTRO refers to the introduction by the moderator and the participants’ self introductions.
NOTES refers to notes or commentary by analysts or translators appearing in the transcript.
RANKING refers to that part of the focus group discussion in which the consolidation and ranking of items on flip charts are discussed. This does not include meaningful commentary, as interpreted by the coders.