Understand node matrices

A node matrix is a collection of nodes resulting from a matrix coding query. Matrix coding queries are a way of
asking a wide range of questions about patterns in the data and gaining access to the content that shows those
patterns. For example, you could create a matrix coding query to compare what small businesses and large
businesses say about different forms of renewable energy. The results are displayed in a matrix. Each cell in the
matrix represents a node containing the content coded at the intersection of the row and column.
NOTE Although the cells represent nodes that you can open and explore, you cannot code at nodes in the
matrix.

Columnscontains the items you select to display in columnsfor example, small businesses and large
businesses.

Rowscontains the items you select to display in rowsfor example, wind power, solar power, hydro
power, biofuel, and geothermal.

Cellsthis can include the number of coding references at the intersection of a row and columnfor
example How many comments do large businesses have about solar power? You can change the cell content
for example, to display number of sources or words coded. The status bar indicates the type of cell content
currently displayed.

Click the Chart tab to see a visual representation of the matrix.

You can make changes to the appearance of the chartfor example, to change the chart type or format the
labels on the chart.
NOTE In earlier versions of NVivo 9 (NVivo 9.0 and 9.1) node matrices were called 'matrices'. They have been
renamed 'node matrices' in NVivo 9.2 (or later). If you are using an earlier version of NVivo 9, we recommend you
update your softwarerefer to Software updates for more information.
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Open and navigate node matrices

When you run a matrix coding query, you can choose to store the results in either the Node Matrices folder (as a
node matrix) or the Results folder (as a results node matrix). If you store the node matrix in the Results folder, it
remains linked to the query that generated it. You open and navigate node matrices in the same way, no matter
where you choose to store them. Refer to Manage query results for more information on storing query results.
You can double-click a node matrix in List View to open it in Detail View. If you want to see the matrix results as a
chart, click the Chart tab on the right.
You can expand the column widths or use the scroll barsrefer to Filter, sort and customize node matrices for
more information. You can double-click on a cell in the matrix to open the node containing the content coded at
the intersection of the row and column nodes.
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What can I do in a node matrix?

When working with a node matrix you can:

Open a node from a matrix cell to see all the content coded at the cell (at both the row and column
nodes)

Apply shading to cells to make it easier to see patterns in the matrix

Change the information displayed in the matrix cellsfor example number of sources coded or number
of nodes coded

Filter or sort the matrix

Transpose the columns and rows

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Convert a node matrix into a node hierarchy

Once you have created a node matrix you can:

Copy or move the matrix into the Nodes folderthis creates a hierarchical node structure based on the
cells within the matrixrefer to Create nodes automatically (Create nodes from a matrix)

Copy or move the matrix from the Results folder into the Node Matrices folderthis makes it part of
your node structure and removes the link to the underlying Matrix Coding query

Refer to Manage node matrices for more information on copying and moving matrices.
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Related topics

Work with the content of a node matrix

Manage node matrices

Filter, sort and customize node matrices

Understand node matrices

Node matrices provide a way to cross-tabulate the coded content in your project.
For example, a node matrix can be used to cross-tabulate what small businesses and large businesses say
about different forms of renewable energy. Each cell in the matrix represents a node containing the content
coded at the intersection of the row and column.

Columnscontains the items you select to display in columnsfor example, small businesses and large
businesses.

Rowscontains the items you select to display in rowsfor example, wind power, solar power, hydro
power, biofuel, and geothermal.

Cellsthis can include the number of coding references at the intersection of a row and columnfor
example How many comments do large businesses have about solar power? You canchange the cell content
for example, to display number of sources or words coded. The status bar indicates the type of cell content
currently displayed.

Click the Chart tab to see a visual representation of the matrix.

You can make changes to the appearance of the chartfor example, to change the chart type or format the
labels on the chart.
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How are node matrices created?

Node matrices are created when you:

Run a matrix coding query. With matrix coding queries, you can ask a wide range of questions about
patterns in the data and gain access to the content that shows those patterns.

For example, you could create a matrix coding query to compare what small businesses and large
businesses say about different forms of renewable energy. The results are displayed in a node matrix.
Each cell in the matrix represents a node containing the content coded at the intersection of the row and
column.

Use pattern-based auto coding. When you auto code using existing coding patterns, the results can be
saved into your project in the Node Matrices folder. This node matrix represents a static record of the
automatic coding by the Wizard and is not updated if you subsequently uncode some of the content.

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Open and navigate node matrices

When you run a matrix coding query, you can choose to store the results in either the Node Matrices folder (as a
node matrix) or the Results folder (as a results node matrix). If you store the node matrix in the Results folder, it
remains linked to the query that generated it. You open and navigate node matrices in the same way, no matter
where you choose to store them. Refer to Manage query results for more information on storing query results.
You can double-click a node matrix in List View to open it in Detail View. If you want to see the matrix results as a
chart, click the Chart tab on the right.
You can expand the column widths or use the scroll barsrefer to Filter, sort and customize node matrices for
more information. You can double-click on a cell in the matrix to open the node containing the content coded at
the intersection of the row and column nodes.
Top of Page

What can I do in a node matrix?

When working with a node matrix you can:

Open a node from a matrix cell to see all the content coded at the cell (at both the row and column
nodes)

Apply shading to cells to make it easier to see patterns in the matrix

Change the information displayed in the matrix cellsfor example number of sources coded or number
of nodes coded

Filter or sort the matrix

Transpose the columns and rows

Although the cells represent nodes that you can open and explore, you cannot code at nodes in the matrix.
Top of Page

Convert a node matrix into a node hierarchy

Once you have created a node matrix you can:

Copy or move the matrix into the Nodes folderthis creates a hierarchical node structure based on the
cells within the matrixrefer to Create nodes automatically (Create nodes from a matrix)

Copy or move the matrix from the Results folder into the Node Matrices folderthis makes it part of
your node structure and removes the link to the underlying Matrix Coding query

Refer to Manage node matrices for more information on copying and moving matrices.
Top of Page
Related topics

Work with the content of a node matrix

Manage node matrices

Filter, sort and customize node matrices