Thematic Analysis: From Study Design to Write-up

Practice flashcards covering the study design, phases, and practical application of thematic analysis based on the lecture by Dr. Lisa McDermott.

Who defined thematic analysis as a method for systematically identifying, organizing, and offering insight into patterns of meaning across a data set?

Braun and Clarke $2012$

How many phases are in the approach developed by Braun and Clarke for conducting thematic analysis?

$6$ phases

What is the primary benefit of the Braun and Clarke framework for studies involving multiple researchers?

It provides a standardized framework to follow.

In Braun and Clarke's view, what does the analysis produce for the research?

The answer to a question

What are the two initial steps in developing a research question for thematic analysis?

Identifying the Research problem and the Research question

In the context of the research problem, what two things must exist before conducting research?

A GAP in the research and a NEED to conduct the research.

What does the abbreviation PICO stand for?

Population, Intervention, Control, Outcomes

In the PICO example provided, who is the Population?

School-age children

In the PICO example provided, what is the Intervention?

A school-based physical activity program

Which method for formulating research questions was developed specifically because PICO fits strongly with quantitative methodology?

The PEO method

What does the 'P' in the PEO method stand for?

Patient, Population, or Problem

In the PEO method, what does 'Exposure' (E) refer to?

Exposure to a condition or illness, a risk factor, screening, rehabilitation, or service.

What does the 'O' in PEO stand for, and what elements does it include?

Outcome or Themes; includes experiences, attitudes, feelings, responsiveness to treatment, care, or quality of life.

In the PEO example provided, what is the Exposure?

Using steam inhalation

In the PEO example provided, what is the Population?

Patients with Chronic sinusitis

What acronym is used for formulating research questions in mixed methods research?

SPIDER

What does the 'S' in SPIDER stand for?

Sample

In the SPIDER framework, what does 'Pi' represent?

Phenomenon of Interest

What does the 'D' in SPIDER represent?

Design

What does the 'E' in SPIDER refer to?

Evaluation

What does the 'R' in SPIDER stand for?

Research type

In the SPIDER example about clinicians and CBT, what is the 'Design' (D)?

Interviews

In the clinician and CBT SPIDER example, what is the 'Research type' (R)?

Phenomenology (experiences)

What is 'Purposive sampling'?

Selecting participants based on specific characteristics.

What is 'Convenience sampling'?

Selecting participants based on their accessibility and availability to the researcher.

What are two examples given for participant characteristics in purposive sampling?

Women over $40$ or registered at a specific GP practice.

What is an example given of convenience sampling?

Students in a lecture

What is the benefit of having a strong interview guide?

It benefits the quality of the data.

In an interview guide, what is the recommended style for the first question?

Open/easy to answer to get the participant talking.

What should be included with every question in an interview guide?

Prompts

What should be the last question asked in an interview?

Ask the participant if there is anything else to add.

What does 'inductive analysis' mean in the context of thematic analysis?

Themes are generated directly from the data.

Does 'deductive analysis' apply to thematic analysis according to the transcript?

No, deductive analysis involves testing a theory/framework and does not apply.

What is the focus of Phase $1$ of Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis?

Familiarizing yourself with the data (immersion).

What activity is suggested during Phase $1$ immersion besides reading transcripts?

Listening to recordings making notes, and watching videos of interviews/focus groups.

What is the focus of Phase $2$ of Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis?

Generating initial codes

How much of the text needs to be coded in Phase $2$?

Only 'meaningful' sections; text that does not relate to the research question does not need to be coded.

Can initial codes be refined later in the analysis?

Yes, phrases used for each code can be refined later on.

What was the initial code assigned to the Phase $2$ example about new prescribers?

New staff

What is the focus of Phase $3$ of Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis?

Searching for themes

What occurs during the shift from codes to themes in Phase $3$?

The codes are grouped into meaningful themes.

True or False: In Phase $3$, codes can become overarching themes.

True

Name one of the subthemes from the 'Positive impact on patients' theme in the Phase $3$ example.

Assistance in persuading patients (or Acceptable to patients / Patient information sheet very useful feature).

What is the focus of Phase $4$ of Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis?

Reviewing potential themes

In Phase $4$, themes are reviewed in relation to what two things?

The coded data and the entire data set.

What critical question must be asked about the themes during Phase $4$?

Do the themes adequately answer the research question?

What is the focus of Phase $5$ of Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis?

Defining and naming themes

According to the transcript, what should a good theme have to avoid being repetitive?

Themes should be related but not overlap.

What should a researcher be able to clearly state when defining themes in Phase $5$?

What is unique and specific about each theme.

In the Phase $5$ example, what was the name of the theme identified by GPs?

Positive impact on patients

What is the focus of Phase $6$ of Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis?

Producing the report

What is the purpose of the final report in thematic analysis?

To provide a compelling story about your data based on your analysis.

How should themes be presented in the final report?

They should connect logically and meaningfully to tell a story.

In the Phase $6$ example, what was the first theme in the final draft order?

Experiences of trauma

According to the transcript, what three things should be identified in the introduction of a write-up?

The research problem, the need for the research, and the gap in the research.

In the Methods section, what details should be provided for participants?

As much detail as possible.

In the Methods section, what details should be provided for Materials?

A detailed description of tools used, such as the interview guide and how it was developed.

What should be presented first in the Results section of a qualitative paper?

An overview of themes and subthemes.

What must accompany the description of each subtheme in the Results section?

Quotes to support it.

What should NOT be included in the Results section?

Implications of the results or references to previous evidence.

The Discussion section should remind the reader of what two things?

The aims and research question

In the Discussion, should you discuss all subthemes?

No, you do not need to discuss all subthemes, only an overview of themes.

What four criteria can be used to determine which themes to highlight in the Discussion?

Importance to research question, prevalence, importance to participants, and relation to previous findings.

What was the specific aim of the McDermott et al. $2010$ worked example study?

To develop computer-delivered prompts to promote guideline adherence for RTI and stroke prevention.

In the McDermott et al. study, how many face-to-face interviews were conducted with GPs?

$33$ interviews

In the worked example, what was identified as the 'NEED' for the research problem?

GPs are not adhering to guidelines for RTI and stroke prevention.

What was identified as the 'GAP' in the worked example?

Computer-delivered interventions have varying success and have not used behavior change theory before.

What was the overarching research question in the McDermott et al. example?

What factors may be involved in GPs decision to use electronic prompts for RTI and stroke prevention guidelines during a consultation?

Where were the GPs recruited from in the McDermott et al. study?

South England and London

Name one of the five key themes identified in the McDermott et al. GP interviews.

Perceptions of role of prompts (or Patient outcomes, Prescriber differences, Accessibility and presentation, Acceptability of guidelines).

In the McDermott et al. results, what subtheme was associated with 'Perceptions of role of prompts'?

Rejection of enforcement and approval for choice (or Acceptance of support tool).

What reaction did GPs report towards techniques perceived as methods to enforce behavior?

Strong rejection and opposition.

In the McDermott et al. study, which theme was found to be the most important influence on GP attitudes?

Perception of the role of prompts

What psychological theory was the finding about environmental control consistent with?

Social cognitive theory

According to the McDermott et al. conclusion, how can satisfaction with computer prompts be increased?

By working with practitioners to ensure prompts are perceived as valuable tools.

In the provided Phase $3$ example, which code formed a subtheme under 'Usability issues'?

Easy to use (or Easy to control, Limited time, English language only, Additional features, Simplify further).

In the Phase $4$ example, what subthemes were grouped under 'Satisfaction with clinic'?

Friendly staff, Benefits of pharmacy on site, Phone app easy to use, and Easy to view online medical notes.

In the Phase $4$ example, what subtheme was associated with 'Dissatisfaction with clinic' and online service issues?

Log in not working

According to Braun and Clarke's phase $5$, should themes have multiple focuses?

No, themes should ideally have a singular focus.

In the PEO example, what was the 'Outcome' (O)?

Experiences