Thematic Approa

docx

School

Grand Canyon University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

ORGANIZATI

Subject

Psychology

Date

Nov 24, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by Reyna2702

Thematic Approach Thematic analysis is a strategy of providing insight, organizing, and identifying themes (patterns of meaning) in a given dataset. Braun & Clarke (2022) claim that when an individual focuses on the meaning embedded on a dataset, thematic analysis helps the person recognize and make sense of shared or collective experiences and meanings. Thematic analysis is a method of recognizing what information is commonly written or talked about and deriving meaning from these commonalities. This approach is also commonly used in qualitative studies to determine the key themes in these articles. Kiger & Varpioadds (2020) add that the thematic approach to a study allows a researcher to analyze qualitative data by researching across a dataset to recognize and examine repeated patterns. For instance, if a researcher is studying the impact of a certain lifestyle behavior on the health outcomes of an individual while using the thematic analysis approach, they will first collect a variety of articles on the topic and study them closely to identify the common themes in the articles before making conclusions about the topic. There are six main steps to be followed when using the thematic analysis approach in examining a given dataset. Bryne (2022) states that the first step a researcher takes when using the thematic approach is familiarizing themselves with the data. This step consists of reading the whole dataset comprehensively to become familiar with the information. This step is essential since it helps a researcher identify the correct data which might be pertinent to the research questions. One of the most practical ways that a researcher can grasp the information is through manual transcription of information. The researcher basically makes some preliminary notes on the topic that they are studying, which would be crucial during the interpretation of data phase of using this data analysis approach.

The second step is generating initial codes. Bryne (2022) argues that codes are the basic building blocks that the researcher would use to derive themes from the dataset. Coding is conducted to produce shorthand and succinct interpretive or descriptive labels for data which might be relevant to the research questions. However, researchers need to work systematically on the whole dataset by examining each data item and noting the data aspects which appear to be informative and interesting in developing themes. This phase is followed by the third step which entails generating themes. Once the data items have been coded, a researcher needs to shift their attention from interpreting individual data items in a given dataset to interpreting the aggregated meaning of the dataset. The fourth step while utilizing the thematic analysis approach is reviewing the themes. Nowell (2017) explains that this step consists of refining the set of themes that have been identified in phase three. Nonetheless, it is not surprising to discover that some potential themes might not be used to derive meaningful interpretation of the information or might not offer the information which is essential in addressing the research questions. Ideally, the main objective of this stage is producing a refined thematic table or map which captures the most crucial aspects of the data which are relevant in addressing the research questions (Bryne, 2022). This phase is followed by the fifth step which is naming and defining the theme. In this stage researchers present a comprehensive examination of the thematic framework. Every individual sub-theme and theme is supposed to be expressed according to the given dataset and the relevant research questions. The last step of using the thematic analysis approach is producing the final report (Maguire & Delahunt, 2017). This final stage which marks the end of the thematic analysis involves the researcher making the appropriate analysis about the topic that they were

researching on. A researcher analyses the topic, the research questions and the themes that they have redefined using these analysis approach to make the correct conclusion about a given topic. However, it is important to ensure that the themes are connected in a meaningful and logical manner and that they are able to build a convincing narrative of the dataset. Thematic analysis is widely utilized as a qualitative approach in examining one-on-one semi structured interviews. George (2022) defines semi-structured interviews as methods of collecting data which depend on asking the sample of the study questions which have a predetermined thematic framework. Besides, this data collection method is usually qualitative in nature. Judger (2016) explains that the thematic approach is widely utilized in analyzing most interviews. This analysis approach is effective in examining one-on-one semi structured interviews since it helps produce insightful analyses which answer the semi-structured interview questions. Primarily when an interviewer wants to study a particular topic, the construct predetermined questions which in this case act as the research questions and use them during the interview to gain understanding of the issue that they are researching on. Once the answers from the interviews have been collected, the interviewer goes through them to identify the themes present in the respondents’ answers. The researcher would them study these themes to make the appropriate conclusion about the subject. The thematic analysis approach of analyzing data is beneficial because it offers a highly flexible approach which could be modified accordingly to satisfy the needs of several studies, offering a detailed and rich, yet multifaceted account of information (Nowell et. al., 2017). Additionally, since the thematic analysis approach does not demand the comprehensive technological and theoretical knowledge of other qualitative methods, it provides a more accessible type of analysis, especially for those researchers that are new in their research careers.

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

Ideally, researchers that are comparatively unfamiliar with qualitative approaches might discover that thematic analysis is easy to grasp and understand since it consists of few procedures and prescriptions. Another major advantage of thematic analysis is an effective tool in studying the perspectives of several research respondents, highlighting differences and similarities, and deriving unexpected insights. Nowell et. al. (2017) states that thematic analysis is beneficial in summarizing the main characteristics of a massive dataset since it forces a researcher to employ a well-structured method in handling data. This is essential in helping the researcher produce an organized and clear final report. According to Barkley (2021), the thematic analysis is important advantageous because it is effective when studying a large amount of data. It is always difficult to analyze large data is most qualitative studies. It is often easy for a researcher to become distracted from their key research objectives. Therefore, the thematic analysis approach helps a researcher deal with large amounts of data because it divides the data is several datasets which ae relevant in a particular study. In conclusion, the thematic analysis is an effective qualitative study analysis tool since it helps a researcher identify the major themes in a given dataset which are essential in making the required conclusions. As mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, this approach is divided into six major steps which help a researcher recognize commonalities in a particular dataset. Therefore, it is applicable in studying and analyzing large datasets which could be otherwise challenging if other approached were used.

References Barkley, A. (2021). What is Thematic Analysis? Advantages and Disadvantages. https://www.theacademicpapers.co.uk/blog/2021/10/02/what-is-thematic-analysis- advantages-and-disadvantages/#Advantages_of_Thematic_Analysis Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2022). Thematic analysis . American Psychological Association. Byrne, D. (2022). A worked example of Braun and Clarke’s approach to reflexive thematic analysis. Quality & quantity , 56 (3), 1391-1412. George, T. (2022). Semi-Structured Interview | Definition, Guide & Examples. https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/semi-structured-interview/ Judger, N. (2016). The thematic analysis of interview data: An approach used to examine the influence of the market on curricular provision in Mongolian higher education institutions. Hillary place papers, 3rd edition, University of Leeds . Kiger, M. E., & Varpio, L. (2020). Thematic analysis of qualitative data: AMEE Guide No. 131. Medical teacher , 42 (8), 846-854 Maguire, M., & Delahunt, B. (2017). Doing a thematic analysis: A practical, step-by-step guide for learning and teaching scholars. All Ireland Journal of Higher Education , 9 (3). Nowell, L. S., Norris, J. M., White, D. E., & Moules, N. J. (2017). Thematic analysis: Striving to meet the trustworthiness criteria. International journal of qualitative methods , 16 (1), 1609406917733847.

Related Documents

Cultural Self-Awareness.pdf

CHS495V Reflections Template (1) (1)(1).docx

Unit-6-Assignment.docx

1.PNG

PSYC1504_DF_Unit1-A - Copy (23).docx

Psychology Assignment (5).docx

DB525reply.docx

Screenshot_20231124-153737.jpg

Analyzing Jury Decision-Making in On Trial.docx

Hello professor and classmates,.docx

Topic 1 DQ 2.docx

Educ 5420 discussion unit 4 doc4.docx

Recommended textbooks for you

Ciccarelli: Psychology_5 (5th Edition)

Psychology

ISBN:9780134477961

Author:Saundra K. Ciccarelli, J. Noland White

Publisher:PEARSON

Cognitive Psychology

Psychology

ISBN:9781337408271

Author:Goldstein, E. Bruce.

Publisher:Cengage Learning,

Introduction to Psychology: Gateways to Mind and ...

Psychology

ISBN:9781337565691

Author:Dennis Coon, John O. Mitterer, Tanya S. Martini

Publisher:Cengage Learning

Psychology in Your Life (Second Edition)

Psychology

ISBN:9780393265156

Author:Sarah Grison, Michael Gazzaniga

Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company

Cognitive Psychology: Connecting Mind, Research a...

Psychology

ISBN:9781285763880

Author:E. Bruce Goldstein

Publisher:Cengage Learning

Theories of Personality (MindTap Course List)

Psychology

ISBN:9781305652958

Author:Duane P. Schultz, Sydney Ellen Schultz

Publisher:Cengage Learning

SEE MORE TEXTBOOKS

Recommended textbooks for you

Ciccarelli: Psychology_5 (5th Edition)
Psychology
ISBN:9780134477961
Author:Saundra K. Ciccarelli, J. Noland White
Publisher:PEARSON
Cognitive Psychology
Psychology
ISBN:9781337408271
Author:Goldstein, E. Bruce.
Publisher:Cengage Learning,
Introduction to Psychology: Gateways to Mind and ...
Psychology
ISBN:9781337565691
Author:Dennis Coon, John O. Mitterer, Tanya S. Martini
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Psychology in Your Life (Second Edition)
Psychology
ISBN:9780393265156
Author:Sarah Grison, Michael Gazzaniga
Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company
Cognitive Psychology: Connecting Mind, Research a...
Psychology
ISBN:9781285763880
Author:E. Bruce Goldstein
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Theories of Personality (MindTap Course List)
Psychology
ISBN:9781305652958
Author:Duane P. Schultz, Sydney Ellen Schultz
Publisher:Cengage Learning