Research skills A - SAQs

What might be some of the advantages and disadvantages of using a priori codes in template analysis?

(10 marks)

+ Links to previous research

+ Gives us direction

+ Other researchers can analyse your data using the same codes

+ Builds of existing theories/findings

+ Flexible - can be refined/adjusted/removed as data analysis continues

+ Makes data analysis less time consuming

+ Allows the researcher to ensure they capture important theoretical concepts, crucial to the research aims

 

• Deciding on the priori codes can be challenging

• Loss of holistic understanding in relation to individual accounts

• Can lead to a very simple template

• Can lead to a very flat, descriptive account of the data

• A priori codes may not be useful

What might be some of the challenges of working as part of a team using template analysis to analyse a particular data set?

• Time-consuming

• Differences in opinions regarding the original themes

• Power imbalances

• Establishing effective communication

• Conflict between relevant a priori themes

• Differences of opinion with hierarchy of themes

• Personal conflict

• Different levels of experience and skill

How do you know when to stop developing your template any further when you are using template analysis?

• When the hierarchy of codes is complete - no new codes are emerging from the dataset

• When the dataset addresses the research aims and can provide an answer to the research question

• When you have ensured all of the dataset is coded and relevant information is included in the template

• When the hierarchy is becoming unmanageable

What is an advantage/disadvantage of using template analysis on a large qualitative dataset?

Advantages

• Provides a clear, hierarchical coding structure, making large datasets easier to manage.

• Allows for consistency across multiple researchers, improving reliability in team-based analysis.

• Is flexible: the template can be revised as new themes emerge.

• Helps researchers compare themes across many participants efficiently.

• Saves time compared to fully inductive methods when handling large volumes of data.

• Suitable for datasets collected across multiple sites or time points.

Disadvantages

• Early templates may bias the analysis, shaping how later data are interpreted.

• Risk of over-simplifying complex or rich qualitative data.

• Can reduce sensitivity to unexpected or minority perspectives.

• Requires careful reflexivity to avoid forcing data into existing categories.

• Developing and refining the template can still be time-consuming with very large datasets.

• Less appropriate when the research aim is highly exploratory or theory-generating.

Explain how themes are identified in qualitative analysis.
In your answer, critically discuss at least four different strategies for identifying themes

(10 marks)

• Clear definition of themes as patterned meanings

• Discussion of strategies such as:

  • Word repetition

  • Repeated behaviours (e.g. avoidance)

  • Indigenous categories

  • Key words linked to research questions

  • Missing or silenced information

  • Metaphors and analogies

  • Deviations from dominant patterns

• Explanation of how each strategy contributes to theme development

• Critical evaluation of limitations:

  • Risk of superficial analysis

  • Over-reliance on frequency

  • Subjectivity in interpretation

• Importance of linking themes back to research aims

• Emphasis on reflexive and iterative analysis

Compare inductive and deductive approaches to thematic development.
Discuss how each approach influences the analysis process, theory building, and research outcomes.

(10 marks)

• Definitions of inductive and deductive thematic analysis

• Comparison of:

  • Direction of analysis (top-down vs bottom-up)

  • Relationship to theory

• Advantages of deductive approaches:

  • Efficiency

  • Comparability with prior research

• Limitations of deductive approaches:

  • Risk of overlooking unexpected findings

• Advantages of inductive approaches:

  • Data-driven insights

  • Richer participant perspectives

• Limitations of inductive approaches:

  • Time-consuming

  • Risk of lack of focus

• Discussion of combined approaches

• Critical reflection on methodological fit

Critically evaluate Thematic Analysis as a qualitative analytic method.

(10 marks)

• Definition of Thematic Analysis

• Explanation of its flexibility and pragmatic nature

• Discussion of:

  • Lack of fixed theoretical framework

  • “Poorly branded method” critique

• Strengths:

  • Accessibility

  • Applicability across disciplines

  • Ability to capture meanings and experiences

• Limitations:

  • Risk of superficial analysis

  • Need for transparency and rigour

• Importance of clarity in analytic process

• Comparison with more theoretically bounded approaches (e.g. IPA, Grounded Theory)

Content analysis is often criticised for being reductionist and lacking explanatory power.
Critically discuss this critique.

(10 marks)

• Definition of content analysis

• Explanation of how qualitative data is transformed into quantitative data

• Strengths:

  • Systematic

  • Transparent

  • Useful for large datasets

• Explanation of reductionism:

  • Loss of context

  • Focus on frequency over meaning

• Critique of descriptive rather than explanatory nature

• Examples where content analysis may still be appropriate

• Ethical and practical advantages (unobtrusive, existing data)

• Balanced evaluation rather than one-sided critique

Discuss the key features of Template Analysis, focusing on a priori themes and hierarchical coding.
Evaluate its balance between structure and flexibility

• Definition of Template Analysis

• Explanation of:

  • Coding templates

  • Hierarchical organisation (higher- and lower-order themes)

• Role of a priori themes:

  • Guidance

  • Tentative nature

• Flexibility of template modification:

  • Insertion

  • Deletion

  • Changing scope

• Strengths:

  • Organising large datasets

  • Time efficiency

• Limitations:

  • Risk of overly simple or complex templates

• Evaluation of epistemological flexibility - can be used within different assumptions about knowledge and reality

• Critical assessment of methodological fit

Using Template Analysis with large qualitative datasets can be both advantageous and problematic.
Critically discuss this statement.

• Advantages:

  • Structured approach

  • Hierarchical organisation

  • Use of a priori themes

• Problems:

  • Over-complex templates

  • Loss of nuance

  • Management difficulties

• Balanced conclusion

Outline the stages involved in Template Analysis.
Critically discuss how researchers decide when a template is “good enough”.

• Clear outline of stages:

  1. Define a priori themes

  2. Data collection

  3. Familiarisation

  4. Initial coding

  5. Template development

  6. Refinement

  7. Interpretation and write-up

• Explanation of iterative refinement

• Criteria for stopping:

  • No new themes emerging

  • Research aims addressed

  • Manageable hierarchy

• Recognition of judgement-based decision-making

• Critical discussion of saturation vs practicality

Discuss the methodological and practical challenges of conducting qualitative analysis as part of a research team, with reference to Template Analysis.

• Explanation of team-based qualitative analysis

• Challenges:

  • Disagreements over a priori themes

  • Power imbalances

  • Differences in experience

  • Hierarchy disputes

• Time and communication demands

• Strategies to manage challenges:

  • Clear roles

  • Regular meetings

  • Reflexivity

• Benefits of team analysis:

  • Multiple perspectives

  • Increased credibility

• Balanced evaluation