Thematic analysis
What are the benefits of using a thematic analysis approach in qualitative research?
The benefits of using a thematic analysis approach in qualitative research include its accessibility, transparency, and flexibility. Thematic analysis is a theoretically flexible approach that can be incorporated into any epistemological approach. It allows researchers to systematically organize and analyze complex data sets, identify, describe, and interpret patterns (themes) within a data set in detail. Thematic analysis can be made in both deductive (top-down) and inductive (bottom-up) way
How can I ensure rigor and flexibility in my thematic analysis approach?
To ensure rigor and flexibility in your thematic analysis approach, you can adopt the six-phase process proposed by Braun and Clarke (2006). The six phases are:
1. Familiarizing yourself with the data
2. Generating initial codes
3. Searching for themes
4. Reviewing themes
5. Defining and naming themes
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6. Producing the report
It is important to note that these analytic procedures are not a linear series of steps but rather an iterative and reflective process; it involves a constant moving back and forward between phases. Additionally, to ensure rigor, it is important to maintain a systematic analysis process so that the final product is of good quality. To ensure flexibility, it is recommended to consider all interesting or relevant information (themes) emerging through the data, even the unexpected themes, for a better understanding of the phenomenon in question.
Deductive and inductive approach for making codes for thematic analysis
Thematic analysis can be made in both deductive (top-down) and inductive (bottom-up) way. ?
In the deductive approach, the researcher begins the analysis with the themes that are identified by the researcher through a literature review or the research questions designed for the study. The researcher using this approach usually has a pre-existing coding frame or the researcher’s preconceptions about the research. The researcher then applies these pre-existing codes to the data set and looks for instances of these codes in the data. This approach is explicitly researcher-driven, allowing the researchers to analyze the data in relation to their theoretical interest in the issues being investigated.
In the inductive approach, the data is coded without trying to fit the themes into a pre-existing coding frame or the researcher’s preconceptions about the research. The researcher using this approach does not have a pre-existing coding frame or the researcher’s preconceptions about the research. Instead, the researcher reads and re-reads the data and generates codes based on the patterns and themes that emerge from the data itself. Themes emerge through the data itself without paying attention to the themes included in other studies. Themes are strongly linked to the data instead of the researcher’s theoretical interest in the topic.
Read a very informative research article
Dawadi, S., 2021. Thematic analysis approach: A step by step guide for ELT research practitioners. Journal of NELTA, 25(1-2), pp.62-71. https://oro.open.ac.uk/76047/14/76047.pdf
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