8. Thematic analysis

Question 1

What does thematic analysis do? (TA Methods)

Answer 1

Identifies themes of pattern/meaning

Question 2

What does a theme do? (TA Methods)

Answer 2

Captures something important about the material and represents patterned responses in a data set

Question 3

What are the 5 passes of TA? (TA Methods)

Answer 3

1. Collect data
2. Code data
3. Search for themes
4. Review themes
5. Define and name themes

Question 4

What are the disadvantages of TA? (TA Methods)

Answer 4

• Implies themes are without research input
• No criteria
• No justification

Question 5

What is interpretative phenomenological analysis? (TA Methods)

Answer 5

For of TA that makes psychological assumptions of:

1. People interpret the world
2. Researchers interpret the world too

Question 6

What must an interpretative phenomenological analysis be? (TA Methods)

Answer 6

• Idiographic (few cases)
• Meanings (what it means to individuals)
• Quality (of experiences)

Question 7

How is interpretative phenomenological analysis usually conducted? (TA Methods)

Answer 7

• Semi structured interviews

- Diary entries

Question 8

How many participants should be used for interpretative phenomenological analysis? (TA Methods)

Answer 8

• Ideally 6-8
• 45 is acceptable
• 1 is allowable (but not advisable)

Question 9

What are the 5 stages of interpretative phenomenological analysis? (TA Methods)

Answer 9

1. Read transcript
2. Identify key words
3. Identify themes
4. Cluster themes
5. Integration of cases