Thematic analysis!

Question 1

Thematic analysis definition

Answer 1

A technique used when analysing qualitative data. Themes or categories are identified and then data is organised according to these themes.

Question 2

Main intentions of thematic analysis

Answer 2

The main intentions are.
* To impose some kind of order on the data.
* To ensure that the order represents the participants perspective, i.e. fits with how they see the phenomenon.
* To ensure that this order’ emerges from the data rather than any preconceptions.
* To summarise the data so that hundreds of pages of text or hours of videotapes can be reduced.
* To enable themes to be identified and general conclusions drawn.

Question 3

General principles of thematic analysis

Answer 3

1. Read and reread the data transcript dispassionately (or do the same with a video), trying to understand the meaning communicated and the perspective of the participants. No notes should be made.
2. Break the data into meaningful units - small bits of text which are independently able to convey meaning. This might be equivalent to sentences or phrases.
3. Assign a label or code to each unit. Such labels/codes are the initial categories that you are using. You will have developed some ideas when initially reviewing through the data in step 1. Each unit may be given more than one code/label.
4. Combine simple codes into larger categories/themes and then instances can be counted or examples provided.
5. A check can be made on the emergent categories by collecting a new set of data and applying the categories. They should fit the new data well if they represent the topic area investigated.