Doing reflexive thematic analysis: A reflexive account

Joy, Eileen; Braun, Virginia; Clarke, Victoria

Abstract

Reflexive thematic analysis (TA), widely used in education, social work, and counselling research, offers an accessible method for exploring and interpreting a qualitative dataset, and telling a story about patterns of meaning. Doing reflexive TA well requires a thoughtful, situated researcher or research team. As the method puts researcher subjectivity at the core of the approach, reflexivity, or acknowledging the researcher’s role in knowledge generation, is vital for conceptualising and doing TA, and for quality. We briefly outline concepts and process for reflexive TA, including different analytic phases, and important considerations for quality—referencing key resources for readers to use to deepen their knowledge. Using Eileen’s PhD research in social work, we embed a reflexive account of the processes, decisions and challenges in doing TA reflexively alongside a more didactic account of what TA is, and how to do it well. We offer a mix of insights, challenges, and provocations to help equip you for your reflexive adventures with data.

• Online Publication Date: Jan 1, 2023
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2023
• Deposit Date: Feb 6, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 7, 2023
• Book Title: Research methods for education and the social disciplines in Aotearoa New Zealand
• ISBN: 978-1-99-004079-5
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10434562
• Publisher URL: https://www.nzcer.org.nz/nzcerpress/research-methods-education-and-social-disciplines?mc_cid=4f8a2f7f34&mc_eid=785667f132
• Contract Date: Oct 12, 2022