Thematic Analysis

Question 1

When to use thematic analysis?

Answer 1

Identifying a pattern

Question 2

What are different types of qualitative analysis?

Answer 2

Interpretive phenomenological analysis- exploring experience of a phenomenon
Grounded theory- developing a new theory from the ground up (based on PPTS data)
Discourse analysis- how language is used

Question 3

What are the two overreaching types of Thematic analysis?

Answer 3

Deductive and inductive

Question 4

Characteristics of deductive thematic analysis

Answer 4

Deductive- we are using an existing theory to inform our data analysis
Focused question- code and group answers from different perspectives - explanation 1 2 and 3

Question 5

Characteristics of inductive thematic analysis

Answer 5

Inductive- we analyse the data as is, no theory/ framework exists to code the data (bottom up)
Vast amount of data from multiple sources general question of the phenomenon - conceptual analysis by coding categorisation theming- overreaching theme theory, model

Question 6

Deductive TA example

Answer 6

Behavioural, normative and control beliefs about earthquake preparedness- Earthquake preparedness in Tehran is low due to beliefs of Tehran inhibitions about ep- aimed at elicit beliefs about earthquake preparedness among citizens

Question 7

Theory of planned behaviour

Answer 7

1- beliefs about the likely outcomes of the behaviour and the evaluation of these outcomes (positive or negative thoughts about the behaviour)
2- belief about the normative explanations ( how are people in your group behaving)
3- belief about the presence of factors that may facilitate or impede performance of the behaviour and the perceived power of these factors (what can prevent or facilitate me carrying out the behaviour )

Question 8

Thematic analysis steps (Braun and Clarke 2006)

Answer 8

Braun and Clarke 2006
Transcription, familiarisation with data, coding, searching for themes, reviewing themes, defining and naming themes, writing- finalising analysis.

Question 9

Stage 1- transcription

Answer 9

• Data analysis can only begin once all data has been collected in SPSS (in qualitative it isn’t essential to have all data before analysis)
• there is no distinct separation between the end of data collection and starting the analysis (in quant, you need all numerical data before analysis)
• you can begin transcribing and analysing before all interviews/ focus groups have been conducted
• can collect part of data review, refine and reorient subsequent data collection

Question 10

Stage 2- data familiarisation

Answer 10

• immerse yourself in the data, become familiar, notice things that might be relevent to your research question
• repeated reading/listening of data - gain general impression, note any thoughts in a research journal (notes help with data analysis process)- memory aid that triggers when developing analysis later
• notes reflect what we bring to data- highlighting importance of reflective practice
• not passive process- reading data actively, analytically and critically

Question 11

Stage 3 - coding- What is it?

Answer 11

• identifying aspects of the data that relate to research question
  Essentially labeling important features of the transcript

Question 12

Stage 3- selective coding

Answer 12

Identifying instances of the phenomenon that you’re interested in and selecting these out
- example of data reduction- bowl of m and ms - picking out the blue ones (certain type)

Question 13

Stage 3- Complete coding

Answer 13

Identify anything and everything of interest or relevance to answering your research question within your entire dataset- becomes more selective later in the analytic process

Question 14

Stage 3- code

Answer 14

Code can be a word of brief phrase that captures the essence of why you think a particular bit of data might be useful in relation to research question
- not exclusive process- coded in multiple ways as fits purpose
- code whatever extracts are relevant- may be large chunk of text, or a few words
- if you have a broad research question- code wisely and comprehensively then refine later
- specific question- maybe large chunks of text where nothing needs to be coded

Question 15

Types of code- semantic (data derived)

Answer 15

-Reflect semantic content of data
- succinct summary of the explicit content of data
- mirror participants language and concepts
- explicit- themes are identified within surface meanings of the data and the analyst is not looking for anything beyond what the participant has said or what has been written

Question 16

Types of code- Latent (researcher derived)

Answer 16

• conceptual or theoretical interpretations of the data
• codes go beyond the explicit content of the data (read between the lines)
• invoke researchers conceptual and theoretical frameworks to identify implicit meanings in the data- never expresses a particular sentiment
• interpretive- identifies or examines the underlying ideas, assumptions and conceptualisations and ideologies theorised as shaping or informing the semantic content of the data

Question 17

What does the coding process look like?

Answer 17

• by hand/Microsoft word/ Nvivo software
• codes should be conscice as possible but captures essence of what is about the data that interests you
• Process same way for rest of data- are existing codes applicable? Do you need to make a new one?

Question 18

Group 4 - developing candidate themes

Answer 18

• review codes to help identify patterns across data set
• pattern analysis presumes ideas which occur across data set capture something socially or psychologically meaningful
• focus on capturing most meaningful pattern
  (Saliency analysis- Buetow 2010- something in the data can be important without appearing frequently
• theme captures something important about data in relation to dataset and goes some way to answer research questions

Question 19

Stage 4- Important note on language- themes do not emerge

Answer 19

• articles ‘ 4 themes emerged from data’ - statements suggest analysis is passive where you identify something that already exist
• however TA is active- actively make choices about how to shape and craft raw data

Question 20

Stage 5- develop candidate themes

Answer 20

• review all codes and the data related to each code. Aim is to identify and overlap between codes
• some codes, if they are large, rich and complex enough can be promoted to themes ( Charmaz, 2006)
• want to identify themes that capture most salient pattens in data, relevent to answering research question

Question 21

Important things to remember at stage 5

Answer 21

• candidate themes are provisional and will be revised and refined through developing analysis
• themes are not identified in a quantitative fashion- they need to be identified in quantitative fashion- they need to be identified across a proportion of the dataset
• themes dont have to cover everything - just address research question
• be prepared to let go of themes if they don’t fit, or use miscellaneous category
• Ta is selective- telling a particular story that answers research questions and not represent everything that was said in the data

Question 22

Stage 5- how to ensure you have developed a good theme

Answer 22

• consider each theme on its own and in relation to other themes
• themes should be distinctive but still fit with others to form overall analysis
• 3 levels of themes (don’t need to have a all 3)
  Overreaching themes (capture and idea encapsulated in several themes
  Themes
  Sub themes (develop a certain aspect of a theme further)

Question 23

Stage 5- how many themes should I have?

Answer 23

• no magic number
• bigger dataset = likely to find more themes= but they have to be good quality so not always the case
• one reported analysis will not tell you everything about data, analyse multiple times to explore different strands

Question 24

Stage 5- thematic maps

Answer 24

-See the relationship between themes
- Explore relationships and refine

Question 25

Stage 5- reviewing candidate themes

Answer 25

- phase of quality control - checking if candidate themes fit with entire data - go back to coded data, re read and make sure fits with theme, themes may be removed, collapsed merged, new ones developed - look back at entire raw data- do themes capture meaning of dataset Don't force your data into the analysis- don't get too attached to candidate themes

Question 26

Stage 6- defining and naming themes

Answer 26

Defining- -stating what is unique and specific about the theme and defines the focus - captures essence of what the theme is about in a few short sentences - they should have clear scope and purpose and when taken together provide a rich, coherent and meaningful picture of dominant pattens in the data that address the research question - Then select vivid coded extracts to illustrate the different facets of each theme- important for convincing the reader of your analysis Naming - requires thought and creativity - can signal the content and your analytic take on the data - catchy conscice informative- sometimes a direct quote captures the essence of the the theme

Question 27

Stage 7- writing and finalising analysis

Answer 27

- use relevent literature to tie in the data analysis with existing scholarly literature - locates your analysis with what already exists and how your analysis contributes to it, develop it further or challenges what we already know about the topic - some quantify the themes eg- three participants discussed... This is not common and Braun and Clarke 2006 would argue against it.

Question 28

Stage 7 - presenting a rich, interconnected logical analysis

Answer 28

- Each theme needs to be developed in its own right, in relation to the research question and in relation to other themes - think about telling the story logically- this will to a certain extent dictate the order in which you present discuss and analyse your themes

Question 29

What makes a good piece of qualitative research?

Answer 29

1- no absolut criteria for judging whether a piece of qualitative research is any good 2- a bit like films- there are no universal criteria for judging quality of a film 3- quant indicators don't work for qual- they hold different assumptions

Question 30

Quality criteria and techniques (qual)- Member checking

Answer 30

- refers to the practice of checking your analysis with your participants - present draft written or oral report of the research or just the analysis to some or all of the participants and asking them to comment on the trustworthiness or authenticity of what has been produced Lincoln and Guba (1985) - member checking as a type of credibility check - might be considered a qual version of reliability- aiming and determine whether the results are credible and dependable from the point of view of P - if using this process it should be built into the research design and participants informed of this process and invited to be part of it - p subsequently play more active role and given opportunity to correct errors or inappropriate interpretation of their experiences

Question 31

Quality criteria and techniques ( qual)- triangulation

Answer 31

- two or more methods of data collection or sources of data are used to examine the same phenomenon with the aim of getting as close to the truth of the object of the study as possible - 3 forms of triangulation - collecting data from different sources - using different methods - using a team of researchers to analyse data

Question 32

Nature of knowledge- subjective knowledge

Answer 32

qual research embraces the idea that knowledge is co- constructed by researchers and participants emphasizing subjective interpretations rather than objective truths

Question 33

The nature of knowledge- contact dependent understanding

Answer 33

Knowledge is viewed as context bound, insights gained are shaped by the social, cultural and historical settings in which research takes place

Question 34

The nature of knowledge- interpretive approach

Answer 34

Emphasises understanding how individuals make sense of their experiences and social words often prioritising depth over breadth

Question 35

The nature of knowledge - researcher reflexivity

Answer 35

Aknowlrgdes the role of the researchers beliefs and positionally in shaping the research process and findings

Question 36

The nature of reality- multiple realities

Answer 36

Qual research assumes a relativist stance recognising that there are multiple socially constructed realities rather than a single objective reality

Question 37

The nature of reality- dynamic and fluid reality

Answer 37

Reality is seen as constantly changing and shaped by interactions relationships and processes rather than being fixed or static