thematic analysis

• What is a thematic analysis?

  A method for analysing qualitative data that involves identifying and reporting patterns within the material to be analysed
• What material might be analysed using a thematic analysis?

  A diary, TV advertisements, or interview transcripts
• What is the first step of a thematic analysis?

  Once data is transcribed (where necessary) data is reviewed repeatedly so that the researcher can identify trends in the meaning conveyed by language
• What is the second step of a thematic analysis?

  The themes identified are re-analysed so that they become more refined and relevant and given short hand codes. The researcher can then annotate the transcript with the codes that have been identified
• What is the third step of a thematic analysis?

  The researcher would then review the transcriptions/codes looking for emergent themes/ideas that might be linked to the research aim
• What is usually high in a thematic analysis?

  Ecological validity
• Why do thematic analyses tend to have high ecological validity?

  Because they are based on observations of what people actually do; real communications that are current and relevant such as recent newspapers or children's books
• What is the problem if the artefacts are limited to a particular culture or group (like recording conversations among Sixth Form schoolgirls)?

  Then the findings won't be generalisable to wider society
• What cannot be established with a thematic analysis?

  Causality
• Why can't a thematic analysis establish causality?

  It only describes the data, thematic analysis cannot extract any deeper meaning or explanation for the data patterns arising
• What is another weakness that is unique to thematic analyses and less applicable to a content analysis?

  There is the possibility that thematic analysis can produce findings that are very subjective
• Why might the findings from a thematic analysis be very subjective?

  The researcher may interpret some things said in an interview in a completely different manner from how they were intended, due to their own preconceptions, judgements or biases
• What else can contribute to inconsistent interpretations in a thematic analysis?

  Cultural differences since language may be translated and therefore interpreted differently by someone of a different nationality