def METHOD_NAME(self, properties, val):
    """
    transform (if needed) given val with given properties
    Parameters
    ----------
    properties: dict
        set of properties to be used for transformation
    val: string
        the value to undergo transformation
    Returns
    -------
    transformed
        the transformed value
    """
    transformed = val
    # encode if needed
    encoding = properties.get("encoding")
    if encoding is not None:
        transformed = self.encode(encoding, transformed)
    # hash if needed
    hashing = properties.get("hashing")
    if hashing is not None:
        transformed = self.hash(hashing, transformed)
    return transformed