Thematic analysis

Question 1

What are the 6 stages of thematic analysis

Answer 1

Braun and Clarke (2006)

1. Familiarisation with the data - reading and re-reading the data to immerse yourself in it
   Begin noting your initial thoughts on the data
2. Generating initial codes - Systematically working through the data and tagging segments with short labels (codes) that summarise their meaning
   Stay open—codes can be theory-driven (deductive) or data-driven (inductive).
3. Organise - review codes and sort into broader categories/themes
   Goal: Start grouping similar codes together to form candidate themes.
4. Reviewing themes - check whether themes accurately represent the data
   Goal: Refine themes—combine, split, or discard them if needed.
5. Finalise - finalising what each theme captures and giving them clear, concise names.
6. Write-up - Detailed analysis of themes in results and discussion
   Writing up your analysis with evidence (quotes from the data) to support each theme.
   Goal: Present a compelling narrative that answers your research question through your thematic analysis.

Question 2

What is thematic analysis

Answer 2

It is a widely used method in qualitative research for identifying, analysing, and reporting patterns (themes) within data.

Question 3

When can you use Thematic Analysis

Answer 3

It is independent of theory and epistemology and It can be applied across a range of theoretical and epistemological approaches (Braun & Clarke, 2006)

Question 4

Impact of thematic analysis

Answer 4

Research incorporating thematic analysis can have significant policy and practice implications through its contribution to our understanding of the human experience

Question 5

Policy implications of TA example

Answer 5

Brooks et al

The results demonstrated the depth of relationships with companion animals and the multi-faceted way pets support their owners to manage their mental illness.

This paper was quoted in the House of Lords - findings were important and needed to be put into practice

Question 6

Advantages of thematic analysis - flexibility

Answer 6

Theoretically flexible - Can be applied across a range of theoretical frameworks (realist/constructionist) and research topics. Suitable for both inductive and deductive approaches.

Varied data - Can also be adapted for different amounts of data and it can be used with any type of qualitative data

Question 7

Advantages of thematic analysis - Straightforward

Answer 7

The coding process is flexible and natural, but still follows a clear and structured method—making it helpful for beginners.

You don’t need to break the data into tiny, highly detailed codes; a more general, broad approach is fine.

If you want, you can organize your codes into main themes and smaller sub-themes.

Question 8

Disadvantages of thematic analysis - design

Answer 8

Lack of depth compared to other methods such as IPA

Question 9

Disadvantages of thematic analysis - the analysis

Answer 9

Thematic analysis often uses a broad approach to themes, which can sometimes make the analysis feel shallow or lacking depth.

Question 10

Disadvantages of thematic analysis - theory

Answer 10

No theory generation Unlike grounded theory, it does not aim to build a new theory—more descriptive than explanatory.