Reporting qualitative research

Question 1

Structure for a qualitative research report for reflexive thematic analysis

Answer 1

Title
Abstract
Introduction
Methodology
Analysis (sometimes findings)
Conclusion
References

Question 2

Title

Answer 2

Enticing concise summary of everything

Question 3

Abstract

Answer 3

Brief summary of research from intro to conclusion
Key messages

Question 4

Introduction

Answer 4

Context of the research topic and its literature - key ideas. Funnels down from wider context, to closely related research to developed research question
What is done why it is important
Build narrative structure to justify why research question is important

Question 5

Methodology

Answer 5

Philosophical framework
participants (description, sample method, ethics
method of data collection - interview guide, preparation for analysis and explain analysis
reflexivity

Question 6

Analysis/findings

Answer 6

Provides a narrative of all themes in the data constructed by the researcher, back up with quotes from transcript and a thematic map
Link to wider research and other literature, contextualises relevance of research in broader scope
Includes limitations of study

Question 7

Why is the word analysis unqiue to RTA reports?

Answer 7

Because in RTA themes are constructed by the researcher so this section should be named analysis
Findings suggest a positivist position/scientific realist that contradicts RTA: finding what exists in the world than creation of themes

Question 8

Conclusion

Answer 8

Restates research question and analytical conclusions (links back to literature in introduction)
Includes methodological considerations and conclusions
Evaluate transferability of comclusions
Introduces NO new ideas
Suggestions for practise, policy, and further research

Question 9

References

Answer 9

APA style
Bibliography of all works mentioned

Question 10

how to write a good analysis

Answer 10

Start with research question and include all identified themes from RTA that answer this - detailed exploration of each theme follows which uses quotes from data
Weave in any new questions that arise
Main idea is presenting a narrative

Question 11

Facilitating readability of an analysis

Answer 11

Theme names as subheadings
Summarise the gist of the theme
Use thematic maps and tables to show connection between themes

Question 12

Using quotes in the analysis section

Answer 12

To illustrate the theme and evidence the points (credibility)
How bredth of participant voices
Should add to it not reiterate
Always be referenced using pseudonyms
Long quotes should be presented as its own block of text = deidentify etc

Question 13

Referencing other research in analysis

Answer 13

How doe sthis study add to/extend existing theory? (empirical or theoretical literature)
Does it agree or disagree? explain why
Explain aim of ours = theoretical tranferability
Describe context of these situations to determine if researchers can also transfer our findings to other contexts

Question 14

Theoretical transferability

Answer 14

Whether research can be transferred beyond to other contexts (applied) and

Question 15

Analysis: using abstract or theoretical concepts when defining themes

Answer 15

Framing themes around unifying abstract concepts will support its transferance to other contexts
and makes it easier to link to other themes because we define it around abstract concept of a theme

Question 16

Themes in RTA should be…

Answer 16

Interpretive not descriptive
Constructed by the researcher

Question 17

Reflexivity in a qualitative report

Answer 17

Depends on preference:
In methods section to show continuous reflection, or state it in 1 section
Or in analysis section if it adds to narrative eg justify why the analysis has been constructed in a specific way

Question 18

When writing the impact of positionality

Answer 18

Some may present it and evaluate themselves how it
impacts analysis
Some may present it and allow for readers to intepret it themselves

Question 19

Reflexive considerations in analysis

Answer 19

Describing why things have been constructed in a specfifc way by the researcher based on positionality
Reflect on alternative explanations based on other positionality

Question 20

If a single research method is used then…

Answer 20

Should be justified why in the methods section