content analysis and thematic analysis

Question 1

content analysis:

Answer 1

turning qualitative data into quantitative data

Question 2

thematic analysis

Answer 2

it is a form of content analysis. An inductive and qualitative approach to analysis that involves identifying implicit or explicit ideas within the data. Themes will often emerge one the data has been coded.

Question 3

coding:

Answer 3

initial stage of content and thematic analysis, by identifying each instance of the chosen category. This turns the qualitative data into quantitative data

Question 4

strengths of content analysis:

Answer 4

• avoids ethical issues because most of the material used already exists so there are few issues with obtaining permission
• high ecological validity because it is based on observations of real life.
• sources can be accessed by others meaning that it can be replicated to test reliability.

Question 5

limitations of content analysis:

Answer 5

• it is subjective, this is because the people are studied indirectly so the communication they produce is analysed outside of the context in which it occured. This could produce observer bias for example (researcher attributed opinions to the speaker/writer that were not originally intended.
• it is likely to be culturally biased, this is because interpretation of verbal or written content will be affected by the language and the culture of the observer and the behavioural categories