Qualitative Data Analysis and Reflexive Thematic Analysis Flashcards
What is thematic analysis (TA)?
A method for identifying, analyzing, and reporting patterns (themes) within qualitative data.
How does thematic analysis go beyond simple data organization?
It interprets various aspects of a research topic, providing deeper insights.
What types of qualitative data are suitable for thematic analysis?
Interviews, focus groups, and textual data.
What is Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) as proposed by Braun and Clarke?
A thematic analysis approach emphasizing researcher reflexivity, subjectivity, and active interpretation of data.
How does Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) differ from other coding approaches?
It rejects the idea of themes “emerging” and instead sees themes as actively constructed.
What is the primary focus of coding reliability thematic analysis?
Accuracy, coder agreement, and structured codebooks.
What is the difference between codebook approaches and reflexive TA?
Codebook approaches use structured frameworks but retain some interpretative flexibility, while reflexive TA prioritizes subjective interpretation.
Why does reflexive TA not require coder agreement?
It focuses on rich, interpretative insights rather than standardized coding reliability.
What is the goal of the familiarization phase in RTA?
To deeply understand the data by reading transcripts multiple times and noting patterns.
What activities are involved in the familiarization phase?
Reading and re-reading data, taking notes, and manually transcribing for nuanced understanding.
What is the purpose of generating initial codes in thematic analysis?
To systematically label relevant data segments for later theme development.
What are semantic and latent codes in thematic analysis?
Semantic codes reflect explicit meanings, while latent codes explore underlying assumptions.
What is an example of a semantic code in student well-being research?
“Lack of teacher training” as an explicit barrier to well-being promotion.
What is the goal of searching for themes in RTA?
To identify overarching themes by grouping related codes.
How can thematic mapping help in searching for themes?
It visually organizes relationships between codes and themes.
What is the importance of reviewing themes in RTA?
To refine and validate themes, ensuring they are meaningful and distinct.
What two key criteria should themes meet during the reviewing phase?
Internal coherence and distinctiveness from other themes.
What should be done when defining and naming themes?
Clarify the essence of each theme and create clear, concise names.
What is an example of a well-defined theme name in RTA?
“Barriers to Well-Being Promotion.”
What is the purpose of producing a thematic analysis report?
To integrate data extracts, contextualize findings, and contribute to knowledge.
What are essentialist and constructionist epistemologies in RTA?
Essentialist views language as reflecting reality, while constructionist sees language as creating reality.
What is the difference between inductive and deductive thematic analysis?
Inductive coding is data-driven, while deductive coding is theory-driven.
What is the difference between semantic and latent coding?
Semantic coding focuses on surface-level meanings, while latent coding explores deeper assumptions.
What is the difference between experiential and critical orientations in RTA?
Experiential captures lived experiences, while critical examines how language constructs social reality.
What was the aim of the application example study in RTA?
To understand educators’ attitudes toward promoting student well-being.
What sampling method was used in the educator well-being study?
11 semi-structured interviews with diverse participants (e.g., teachers, pastoral staff).
What were two key themes identified in the educator well-being study?
“Best Practices in Well-Being Promotion” and “Challenges to Implementation.”
What are the strengths of Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA)?
Flexibility, adaptability, and depth in data interpretation.
What are common challenges of RTA?
It is time-intensive and requires strong analytical skills and reflexivity.
Why does RTA require researcher reflexivity?
Because the researcher actively constructs themes, their subjectivity influences the interpretation.
