A coding scheme with no overlap between categories has _______ categories. mutually exclusive exhaustiverepresentativereliable

The correct answer is mutually exclusive.

Explanation:

1. Definition of Mutually Exclusive: In a coding scheme, if categories are mutually exclusive, it means that each item or observation belongs to only one category. There is no overlap, so no single item can be classified into multiple categories at the same time.

2. Context: In many qualitative research designs, coding schemes are structured to allow researchers to categorize qualitative data in such a way that each piece of data is assigned to one and only one category. This enhances clarity and precision in data analysis.

3. Other Options:

   • Exhaustive: This refers to a coding scheme that includes all possible categories, allowing every observation to be coded into one of the available categories. It does not imply the absence of overlap.
   • Representative: This term generally refers to how well a sample reflects the broader population, which is not directly relevant to the coding scheme.
   • Reliable: This relates to the consistency and stability of a measure or coding scheme over time, rather than the exclusivity of categories.

Thus, the nature of categories being "no overlap" defines them as mutually exclusive.