Thematic analysis

Clarke, Victoria; Braun, Virginia

Abstract

This chapter provides an introduction to thematic analysis (TA) as a method for identifying and interpreting patterns in qualitative data. We distinguish between two main ‘schools’ of TA – (1) approaches with a foothold in quantitative research, which are concerned with the ‘reliability’ of coding and theme development; and (2) our thoroughly qualitative approach, which views coding and theme development as organic and fluid, and ultimately and inescapably subjective – and then focus on the latter. Another hallmark of our approach to TA is that it offers a theoretically-flexible method, with wide-ranging applications, rather than a theoretically-informed methodology, which necessarily delimits application. We describe different ways of implementing TA, and then outline a six phase process for conducting a TA: (1) data familiarisation; (2) coding; (3) searching for themes; (4) reviewing themes; (5) defining and naming themes; and (6) writing up.

• Online Publication Date: Mar 1, 2016
• Publication Date: Mar 1, 2016
• Deposit Date: Sep 19, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 20, 2019
• Publisher: SAGE Publications (UK and US)
• Edition: Second
• Book Title: Analysing Qualitative Data in Psychology
• ISBN: 9781446273753; 9781446273746
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/3123523
• Publisher URL: https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/analysing-qualitative-data-in-psychology/book241179
• Contract Date: Jan 1, 2016