Thematic analysis

4 important questions on Thematic analysis

What are two important things about thematic analysis?

  • More inductive, semantic and (critical) realist approaches tend to cluster together, with more deductive, latent and constructionist ways also clustering together –  but in reality, the separation isn’t always that rigid

  • What is vitally important is that your analysis is theoretically coherent and consistent

What is a rough guide?

  • 6-10 interviews for a small project (e.g., undergraduate)

  • 10-20 interviews for a medium project (e.g., Masters; Professional Doctorate)

  • 30+ interviews for a large project (e.g., PhD).

What are three advantages of thematic analysis?

  • Flexibility: thematic analysis allows us to use a flexible approach with data. We can make changes in the design of the study as new information emerges.
  • Organised: thematic analysis allows us to prioritise important information – in doing so we can ensure that we answer our research questions
  • Personal Experience: In thematic analysis, personal experiences are significant. They can provide a deeper understanding of th
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What are the three disadvantages of thematic analysis?

  • Limited Imperative: novice researchers can depend on their personal experiences too much and ignore the study’s theoretical framework.
  • Rabbit holes: sometimes it can be difficult to be clear on what data you should focus on; where there is difficulty in differentiating between themes.
  • Definitive answers: thematic analysis cannot really supply a definitive answer to your research questions – it is very subjective and cannot be overly  generalised

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

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