week 8 Flashcards
Thematic analysis
An umbrella term for a set of approaches that share a focus on generating themes
Themes as ‘patterns of meaning’ across the data
TA is best defined as a family of methods
Typology of Thematic analysis
Coding reliability- Approaches oriented around coding reliability - small q
Codebook- Approaches based on a structured codebook and qualitative philosophy- medium q
Reflexive- approach based on organic coding- big q
Evolution of Braun and Clarke’s approach to thematic analysis
In 2006, they proposed six phases for conducting TA in psychology….
…In 2019, they evolved and specified their approach under the phrase Reflexive TA.
To distinguish it from other approaches to thematic analysis.
To highlight the emphasis on researcher reflexivity in their approach.
Ten recommendations
Recognize the plurality of TA; determine where your chosen TA approach is located on the scientifically descriptive (small q)—artfully interpretive (Big Q) spectrum.
Determine your underlying research values and philosophical assumptions; locate your use of TA theoretically.
Consider your analytic practice; ensure all methodological procedures and concepts cohere with your research values and TA approach.
Justify divergences from established practice and “mashups;” ensure these are theoretically coherent.
If using reflexive TA, link personal reflexivity to your analytic practice; don’t mention bias.
Discuss how exactly you engaged with your chosen approach to produce your analysis.
Recognize the differences between topic summary and meaning-based interpretative story conceptualisations of themes; ensure your type of theme is coherent with your TA approach (and justify any divergences).
Ensure your language around theme development is coherent with your TA approach.
Provide a clear overview of your themes/thematic structure in the form of a list, table or thematic map.
Ensure the quality standards and practices used cohere with your TA approach and underlying theoretical assumptions.
Reflexive TA is uniquely flexible
It is not tied to a particular theoretical framework.
It can be used to address most types of qualitative research questions:
Participants’ experiences, sense-making, influencing factors, cultural rules and norms, etc.
It can be used to analyse most types of qualitative data:
Interviews, focus groups, qualitative surveys, diaries, secondary sources, participatory-action research, etc.
Different orientations in RTA
Orientation to data- More inductive analysis: coding and theme development are driven by the data content. Bottom-up.
Focus of meaning- Semantic: analysis explores meaning at the surface, explicit, or manifest level.
Qualitative framework- Experiential: analysis aims to capture and explore people’s own perspectives and understandings.
Theoretical frameworks/
epistemology- Realist, essentialist: analysis aims to capture truth and reality, as expressed within the dataset.
Researcher needs to do
Actively make choices.
Reflect on the methodological choices and disciplinary location and how these shape knowledge production (Braun & Clarke, 2021).
Be clear and transparent about their choices when writing up their RTA.
What is reflexivity
Critical reflection on the research process and ones own role as researcher
Active acknowledgement and explicit recognition that their position may affect the research process
Challenges the view of knowledge production as independent of the researcher producing it and of knowledge as objective.
A research lens - links to epistemology – if we assume knowledge is subjective, we must reflect on what creates this subjectivity
Personal reflexivity
How the researcher’s values shape their research and the knowledge produced
Functional reflexivity
How the methods and other aspects of design shape the research and knowledge produced
Disciplinary reflexivity
How academic disciplines shape knowledge production
Reflexively journaling
Your philosophical positions
Theoretical assumptions
Ideological and political commitments
Social identities
Research training and experience
Disciplinary assumptions and frameworks
Personal positioning in relation to the topic
Emotional and physical responses in relation to the research – how are they impacting the work?
reflexive TA is
Non-linear.
Organic.
Back-and-forth process - iterative.
Sometimes (always) messy (and often uncomfortable)!
The six phases
Familiarisation with the data
Coding the data
Generating initial themes
Reviewing and developing themes
Refining, defining and naming themes
Producing the report
1: Familiarisation with the Data
Familiarisation is about immersion, critical engagement and initial note making
Read actively: Keep notes (on each data item) of what you observe and questions you might have.
End this phase by writing notes for the whole dataset
