This skill should be used when users are building or refining their Gioia data structure, mentions 'Gioia', 'data structure', 'themes', 'concepts', 'dimensions', '1st-order', '2nd-order', 'aggregate', or needs to validate/export their analytical hierarchy for publication.
View on GitHublinxule/interpretive-orchestration
interpretive-orchestration
plugin/skills/gioia-methodology/SKILL.md
February 1, 2026
Select agents to install to:
npx add-skill https://github.com/linxule/interpretive-orchestration/blob/main/plugin/skills/gioia-methodology/SKILL.md -a claude-code --skill gioia-methodologyInstallation paths:
.claude/skills/gioia-methodology/# gioia-methodology
Gioia method data structure building and validation. Helps researchers construct the three-level hierarchy (1st-order concepts, 2nd-order themes, aggregate dimensions) with validation and export capabilities.
## When to Use
Use this skill when:
- User is building or refining their data structure
- User mentions "Gioia", "data structure", "themes", "concepts", "dimensions"
- User needs to validate their analytical hierarchy
- User wants to export their framework for publication
- User asks about 1st-order vs 2nd-order concepts
## The Three-Level Hierarchy
```
AGGREGATE DIMENSIONS (Level 3 - Most Abstract)
↑ Researcher theorizes
│
SECOND-ORDER THEMES (Level 2 - Intermediate)
↑ Researcher interprets and groups
│
FIRST-ORDER CONCEPTS (Level 1 - Most Concrete)
↑ Grounded in participant language
```
## Key Principles
1. **1st-Order Concepts** stay close to participant language
- Use informant terms when possible
- Example: "I had to do something about it" → NOT "Moral conviction"
2. **2nd-Order Themes** are YOUR interpretive constructions
- Group related 1st-order concepts
- Represent YOUR analytical abstraction
- Example: "Adaptive Routine Building"
3. **Aggregate Dimensions** are theoretical contributions
- Organize themes into overarching constructs
- Connect to literature
- Example: "Managing Chronic Uncertainty"
## Scripts
### validate-structure.js
Validates a Gioia data structure JSON file against the schema.
**Usage:**
```bash
node skills/gioia-methodology/scripts/validate-structure.js \
--structure-path /path/to/data-structure.json
```
**Checks:**
- Required fields present (id, name, definition)
- Three-level hierarchy maintained
- IDs follow naming convention (AD1_T1_C1)
- Example quotes include document_id and lines
**Returns:** JSON with validation status, errors, and suggestions.
### check-hierarchy.js
Analyzes hierarchy quality and methodological consistency.
**Usage:**
```bash