Analysis of data: tables (quantitative) and thematic analysis (qualitative), SP

Question 1

Thematic analysis

strengths

Answer 1

Strengths:
- A way of reducing a large amount of data into a manageable summary and conclusion, without losing validity of the data, if the analysis is done well.
- If inductive approach taken it encourages the researcher to derive themes from the data, rather than impose pre-selected themes, which is likely to be more valid
- Don’t need to learn a complex mathematical algorithm to be able to conduct this analysis.
- The results can be reduced to quantitative form.

Question 2

Thematic analysis

Weaknesses

Answer 2

Weaknesses:
- It is phrase-based and sometimes phrases cannot capture the meaning correctly.
- It is subjective, there might be researcher bias.
- Validity might be particularly affected if deductive approach taken, as themes will be imposed onto the data.
- Time consuming method of analysis as you have to think of how to categorise codes together and identify patterns to create a limited number of themes.