Thematic Analysis

• What is thematic analysis an alternative to?

  Content analysis
• What is the first step in thematic analysis?

  Transcribe data where necessary
• What does transcribing data involve?

  Listening and writing down spoken words
• Why does a researcher read the data repeatedly?

  To identify trends/themes in the meaning
• What happens to the themes identified in thematic analysis?

  They are re-analysed and given shorthand codes
• How does a researcher annotate the transcript?

  By adding identified shorthand codes
• How can identified themes be used in research?

  To support or challenge existing theories
• What shorthand codes might be used for themes about teachers?

  Teacher positive (TP) and teacher negative (TN)
• What is one strength of thematic analysis?

  High ecological validity from real materials
• What is one weakness of thematic analysis?

  It is unscientific and open to bias
• How can researcher bias affect thematic analysis?

  It may influence theme creation outcomes
• How does the subjective nature of thematic analysis impact research?

  It can lead to biased theme identification