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How to use thematic analysis with interview data (process research)

Braun, Virginia; Clarke, Victoria; Rance, Nicola

Authors

Virginia Braun

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Dr Victoria Clarke Victoria.Clarke@uwe.ac.uk
Associate Professor in Qualitative & Critical Psychology

Nicola Rance



Contributors

Andreas Vossler
Editor

Naomi P. Moller naomi.moller@uwe.ac.uk
Editor

Abstract

This chapter introduces you to thematic analysis (TA), one of the many methods of analysis for qualitative research. Qualitative research, like all research, begins with a research question. In contrast to quantitative research, in which the research question is determined at the start of the research process, qualitative research questions are fluid and flexible; they evolve and the focus of research can expand, contract, or even change altogether, as the research progresses. To illustrate the procedures of TA we draw on a qualitative study, conducted by Nicola, guided by the following open and exploratory research question: ‘how do women with a self- or formally- diagnosed history of anorexia nervosa (AN) make sense of their experiences of eating disorder (ED) treatment/therapy?’ Information Box 13.1 provides a brief overview of Nicola’s interview study with 12 women participants. Her interest in this question was informed by her professional practice as an ED therapist and her research with ED counsellors (Rance, Moller & Douglas, 2010); see Activity 13.1.

Citation

Braun, V., Clarke, V., & Rance, N. (2014). How to use thematic analysis with interview data (process research). In N. P. Moller, & A. Vossler (Eds.), The Counselling & Psychotherapy Research Handbook. London: Sage

Publication Date Oct 16, 2014
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Peer Reviewed Not Peer Reviewed
Book Title The Counselling & Psychotherapy Research Handbook
ISBN 9781446255261
Keywords thematic analysis, interview data, process research
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/810331
Publisher URL http://www.uk.sagepub.com/textbooks/Book239261