Qualitative research: Thematic analysis

Question 1

Definition of thematic analysis

Answer 1

Thematic analysis is identifying, analysing and reporting themes (patterns) in data.

Question 2

Definition of theme in thematic analysis.

Answer 2

Themes are key concepts in data that help to summarise the data.
Themes are patterns in the data.

Question 3

What are the different types of thematic analysis?

Answer 3

Deductive thematic analysis = is when researcher already has pre-exisiting themes based on existing knowledge and previous research. Deductive thematic analysis is research-drive.
Inductive thematic analysis = is allowing the data to dertermine themes. Inductive thematic analysis is data driven.

Question 4

Definition of deductive thematic analysis.

Answer 4

Deductive thematic analysis is when researcher already has pre-exisiting themes based on research and theories.

Question 5

Definition of inductive thematic analysis.

Answer 5

Inductive thematic analysis involves allowing the data is determine the themes.

Question 6

Definition of semantic analysis.

Answer 6

Semantic analysis is identifying the superficial meaning of the data. semantic analysis is looking at the data at a surface data. semantic analysis focuses on what is directly observable.

Question 7

Definition of latent analysis.

Answer 7

Latent analysis is uncovering the deeper meaning of data.

Question 8

What are the six steps in thematic analysis?

Answer 8

1. familiarising yourself with data.
2. generating codes.
3. searching for themes.
4. reviewing themes.
5. defining and naming themes.
6. writing up report.

Question 9

What does the first step of thematic analysis involve?

Answer 9

The first step of thematic analysis is familiarising yourself with the data. this involves transcribing interview. then familiarise yourself with data by repeated reading and make notes.

Question 10

How do you familiarise yourself with the data?

Answer 10

In the first step which is familiarising yourself with the data. You need to firstly, transcribe the data, then do repeated reading and make notes.

Question 11

Definition of coding

Answer 11

Coding means categorising qualitative data.

Question 12

Definition of code.

Answer 12

Code is the most basic element of raw data that can be assessed in a meaningful way.

Question 13

Difference between coding and code.

Answer 13

Coding is the process of categorising qualitative data and code is the most basic element of raw data that can be assessed in a meaningful way.

Question 14

What does your coding depend on?

Answer 14

What you code depends on your research question.

Question 15

What are the different types of coding?

Answer 15

Selective coding which is coding for a specific aspect that the researcher is interested in.
Complete coding is coding for anything and everything that answers the research coding.

Question 16

Definition of selective coding.

Answer 16

Selective coding is coding for a specific aspect that the researcher is interested in.

Question 17

Definition of complete coding.

Answer 17

Complete coding is coding for anything and everything that answers the research question.

Question 18

What are the different types of codes?

Answer 18

There are two different types of codes in thematic analysis including semantic codes and latent codes.
Semantic codes = are data driven codes that identify the superficial meaning of the data.
Latent codes = are research driven codes based on previous research and theory.

Question 19

What should codes be like in thematic analysis?

Answer 19

Codes should be very short, be able to work on their own and should be distinct.

Question 20

What does step 2 of thematic analysis involve?

Answer 20

Step 2 of thematic analysis is generating codes. This can be done in a systematic way so generate all the codes relevant to research question then start searching for themes.

Question 21

How do you do coding in thematic analysis?

Answer 21

Coding in thematic analysis should be done in a systematic way so code all the data relevant to research question before you start to search for themes.

Question 22

What does a coding frame include?

Answer 22

Coding frame includes the code, description of code and piece of text that is represented by code.

Question 23

What does themes require?

Answer 23

Themes must have a central organising concept so all the themes must share a key concept.

Question 24

What is involved in step 3 in thematic analysis?

Answer 24

Step 3 is searching for themes. This involves collecting codes and combining them to form themes. themes must have a central organising concept so all themes must share a key concept. Theme structure can help create themes so you can create sub themes and then themes.

Question 25

What is involved in step 4 in thematic analysis?

Answer 25

step 4 is reviewing themes. This can be done be considering internal homogeneity and external heterogeneity. So do all the themes work together to answer research question and do they have a central organising concept. There are two levels to reviewing themes including level 1 which is making sure codes work in coded extract and level 2 is making sure codes work in relation to entire data set.

Question 26

what is involved in step 5 of thematic analysis?

Answer 26

step 5 is defining and naming themes. This involves creating clear definition and name for each themes. The themes should be informative and concise. Then order the themes

Question 27

What are the strengths of thematic analysis?

Answer 27

Thematic analysis is good because it is flexible and good for beginners.

Question 28

What are the weaknesses of thematic analysis?

Answer 28

Thematic analysis is bad because information can be lost and you cannot make claims about language.

Question 29

What do you create in thematic analysis in step 2 and step 3?

Answer 29

in step 2 - generating codes you create a coding frame and in step 3 - searching for themes you create a thematic map