Thematic Analysis

Thematic analysis is an approach used for identifying, analyzing, and interpreting patterns of meaning within qualitative data. It is a flexible approach that can be used to explore a wide range of research questions. 

Thematic Analysis (TA) is best thought of as an umbrella term for a variety of different approaches, rather than a singular method. Different versions of thematic analysis are underpinned by different philosophical and conceptual assumptions and are divergent in terms of procedure. Most recently, leading thematic analysis proponents, psychologists Virginia Braun and Victoria Clarke distinguish between three main types of thematic analysis: coding reliability approaches, code book approaches and reflexive approaches. 

Key Resources

Chapters

Key Methodological Papers

Studies that have used Thematic Analysis

Further Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

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