Qualitative Research Methods II Flashcards
What is thematic analysis used for
to identify and analyse patterns of meaning across a text-based data set – not one interview
TA is a foundational method, what does it underpin
Many other approaches in qualitative research
Why is TA considered a flexible approach
As it can be used with a wide range of data sources and epistemological standpoints; how to collect your data – just a method of data anylses not a framework so flexiable approach
What does TA give
Clear guidelines, systermatially conduct anaylsis
Define a theme
a patterned response in your data set that has meaning in relation to the research question; recurring patterns that relate to the research question
Are there any rules with a theme
No rules to help you classify themes (e.g., % of instances or length of response).
Is prevalence of a theme important
May or may not be
Define a inductive TA
data-driven with extracted themes grounded in the data (while acknowledging researcher subjectivity).
Coding an accurate representation of the content in the entire data set.
Define a deductive TA
uses existing theory to guide analysis and the extraction of themes. It moves beyond the semantic meanings offered in the data set.
Which type of TA is a Detailed and nuanced approach to coding with one theme or a small group of themes across the whole data set
Deductive
What are the 6 phases of TA according to B and C
Familiarising yourself with your data Generating initial codes Searching for themes Reviewing themes Defining and naming themes Producing the report
Define familiarisation
Transcribing data, reading and re-reading the data, noting down initial ideas
Define generating initial codes
Coding interesting features of the data in a systematic fashion across the entire data set, collating data relevant to each code.
Define coding
Process of identifying aspects of the data that relate to the research question.
What do codes provide
the building blocks of analysis
What is the type of coding dependent on
Type of TA
Define semantic codes
Provide a succinct summary of the explicit content of the data.
Based in the semantic meaning of the data.
Typically stay close to content of the data and to the participants’ meanings.
Define latent codes
Go beyond the explicit content of the data & provide an interpretation about the data content.
Invoke the researcher’s conceptual & theoretical frameworks to identify implicit meanings within the data.
What will be established after generated initial codes
with data coded, all codes & data collated.
Define searching themes
Collating codes into potential themes, gathering all data relevant to each potential theme
What is the basic process of generating themes and subthemes
Cluster codes - sharing some unifying feature, so they reflect & describe a coherent and meaningful pattern in the data.
What happens as your search for themes
Starting to explore relationship between themes & how themes will work together to tell an overall story about the data.
What should be established by the end of the searching for themes phase
End phase with a thematic map/table outlining candidate themes. Collate all data extracts relevant to each theme
Define reviewing themes
Checking if the themes work in relation to the coded extracts and the entire data set, generating a thematic ‘map’ of the analysis
