Thematic analysis: A reflexive approach

Braun, Virginia; Clarke, Victoria; Hayfield, Nikki

Abstract

This chapter introduces the thematic analysis (TA) family of methods. We highlight key features of TA, including theoretical and design flexibility and its status as a technique that can be used within a wide variety of approaches to qualitative research. We differentiate approaches to TA, and provide a detailed description of – and guidance for – doing reflexive TA, the version of TA we primarily focus on in this chapter. Our discussion is illustrated with examples from Nikki Hayfield’s interview research exploring bisexual women’s (visual) identities. This study has been reported in two papers – one focused on bisexual identities and marginalization (Hayfield et al., 2014) and one focused on appearance (Hayfield et al., 2013) – and we use examples from both. We conclude with some final pointers around quality.

• Online Publication Date: Mar 31, 2024
• Publication Date: Mar 31, 2024
• Deposit Date: Feb 6, 2023
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Series Title: Research Methods in Psychology
• Edition: 4th
• Book Title: Qualitative Psychology: A Practical Guide to Research Methods
• ISBN: 9781529616453
• Keywords: Thematic analysis; Qualitative Psychology
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10434585
• Publisher URL: https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/qualitative-psychology-a-practical-guide-to-research-methods/book263225
• Related Public URLs: Previous 3rd Edition: https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/qualitative-psychology/book242733
• Contract Date: Jan 16, 2023