Qualitative Data Analysis

Question 1

What are the common approaches of qualitative analysis?

Answer 1

• discourse analysis
• grounded theory analysis
• thematic analysis

Question 2

What does thematic analysis look for?

Answer 2

A pattern from the data that exemplifies an aspect of the experiences and feelings we are interested in, guided by research question

Question 3

What are the six steps for thematic analysis?

Answer 3

1. Read and re read the data
2. Initial codes
3. Theme generation
4. Reviewing themes
5. Naming and confirming themes
6. Producing the report

Question 4

What happens during the initial codes step in data analysis?

Answer 4

• symbol/abbreviations used to classify word or phrases in the data

Question 5

What happens during the theme generation theme stage of thematic analysis?

Answer 5

• group codes with similar meanings (initial themes)

- use short quotations to illustrate themes

Question 6

What happens during the reviewing stages of thematic analysis?

Answer 6

• review themes and how they connect to text

- reflect how experience influenced themes

Question 7

What happens during the producing the report stage of thematic analysis?

Answer 7

• presents an analytical argument to respond to the research question
• link the raw data to the codes, themes and conclusions
• provides data extracts to illustrate the themes
• allows reader to identify with the argument and contribute to demonstrating research is trustworthy

Question 8

What do you need to be aware of with rigour in thematic analysis?

Answer 8

• all data are given equal attention
• coding process is thorough
• you understand your own influence on the process
• themes are checked with other researchers
• you can link your themes back to the raw data

Question 9

Why do we do qualitative data analysis?

Answer 9

• qualitative research questions concern people’s feelings and experiences
• the analysis concerns finding patterns in the data (similarities, dissimilarities)
• interpreting the patterns enables us to make sense of and to communicate the experiences