Orientation and data Familiarisation

Question 1

What is the theoretical framework of thematic analysis?

Answer 1

The critical realist perspective recognises the socially constructed nature of our understandings of reality and theorizes language as shaping the meaning of social and interpersonal worlds

Question 2

Is thematic analysis inductive or deductive?

Answer 2

Inductive because codes and themes were derived from the data, focusing on the experiences of the participants, rather than using a pre-defined set of concepts and assumptions

Question 3

Why is thematic analysis inductive?

Answer 3

Because codes and themes were derived from the data, focusing on the experiences of the participants, rather than using a pre-defined set of concepts and assumptions

Question 4

Does thematic analysis have semantic or latent meanings?

Answer 4

Both because it describes ideas present in the data and the underlying meanings

Question 5

Why is thematic analysis both semantic and latent?

Answer 5

Because it describes ideas present in the data and the underlying meanings

Question 6

How do we familiarise ourselves with the data before analysing it? List 4 steps

Answer 6

1) Reading and re-reading data (typically interview transcripts)

2) Keep the research question in mind and make initial notes on first impressions – what is the obvious meaning of the data?

3) Aim for data immersion rather than analysis

4) Tempting to turn initial impressions into themes but it is important not to rush the process to avoid being anecdotal

Question 7

When familiarising ourselves with the data, what should we aim to do?

Answer 7

Aim for data immersion rather than analysis

Question 8

When familiarising ourselves with the data, what should we keep in mind?

Answer 8

Keep the research question in mind and make initial notes on first impressions – what is the obvious meaning of the data?

Question 9

When familiarising ourselves with the data, why should we not rush the process?

Answer 9

To avoid being anecdotal