Thematic Analysis:
What is thematic analysis:
Advantages of Thematic Analysis:
Disadvantages of Thematic Analysis:
Step-by-Step Approach for Conducting Thematic Analysis:
Phase 1: Familiarizing with data
Phase 2: Generating initial codes
The second phase begins once researchers have read and familiarized themselves with the data, having ideas about what is in the data and what is interesting about them; highlighting=coding (e.g. challenges that come up in each transcript)
This phase involves the initial production of codes from the data…keep revisiting the data; continuing to revisit the data, very demanding in order to immerse yourself
Coding allows the researcher to simplify and focus on specific characteristics of the data; important to highlight things that are not similar across transcripts as well
During coding, researchers identify important sections of text and attach labels to index them as they relate to a theme or issue in the data; Codes should have quite explicit boundaries; what gives you the strongest argument; (which three themes do I have the most data and evidence)
Sections of text can be coded in as many different themes as they fit, being uncoded, coded once, or coded as many times as deemed relevant by the researcher
Hierarchical coding allows the researcher to analyze texts at varying levels of specificity with broad higher order codes providing an overview and detailed lower order codes allowing for distinctions to be made within and between cases
Accounts that depart from the dominant story in the analysis should not be ignored when coding; talk about the other side, don’t ignore it
When using a code manual, researchers define the codebook before commencing an in-depth analysis of the data an in-depth analysis of the data
Researchers may choose to use one of the software programs (NVivo) to aid in the sorting and organizing the data
Phase 3: Searching for themes
Phase 4: Reviewing Themes:
Phase 5: Defining and naming themes
Phase 6: Producing the report
Use any theory you want: grounded theory may be most recommended, looking at your own data to look for patterns
Ethnographic methods:
Ethnographic research:
Ethnographic research consists of face-to -face interaction with local experts and residents in schools, clinics, parks, community settings, and institutions
Ethnographic research happens in the contexts in which people live, work, play etc
Good ethnography is based on two critical factors: building relationships with others and the ability to enjoy living in unfamiliar situations
Ethnography takes the position that the best way to understand a different cultural setting is to immerse oneself in it
Immersion involves socialization into the rules, rituals, practices, beliefs, activities, organizations, and daily life schedules of those whose lives are the subject of study
Nothing substitutes for day-to-day participation in the lives of local residents-in their meetings, discussions, conflicts, crises, and other activities that are informative in terms of how life is lived, culture is performed, and meaning is constructed
The primary means by which ethnographers collect and interpret data that most closely approximates daily life are observation, conversation, and interviewing
Essential ethnographic skills are relating, listening, explaining, observing, questioning, communicating, recording, discussing, and revising
Some researchers advise novice researchers to enter a field setting without any assumptions
Other researchers recommend having a set of research questions and a research model in mind is beneficial
Research questions arise from the researchers’ own observations, read a body of literature of personal interest, observe a new population in a local community etc
Relating: The first and most important skill in essential data collection is relating well to people in the study site
Introducing yourself: Who are you?; Introducing the project: What is this project about?
Communicating: Communication involves three critical skills:
Questioning, or the ability to ask questions that are appropriate to the setting, the topic, and the person being questioned;
Listening, or the ability to pay attention to what the person is saying;
Sharing, or exchanging ideas and personal experiences.
Observing: Observational skills are essential to good ethnography; they always involve sensitivity to the behaviour and feelings of others and attention to context
Observers will also pay attention to the ways in which informants' interact with others in the field setting
Recording: Recording information in the field without jeopardizing relationships or raising suspicions, especially in the early stages of work, is a challenge
Note taking can interfere with building relationships
Recording: Ethnographers initially just observe carefully and try to take mental note of conversational content without taking written notes
Recording: Because ethnographers can only remember so many of these "head notes;' they generally spend shorter periods of time in "the field" at first and more time behind a computer or digital recorder, recording information immediately after a session in the field so they do not forget what they have observed
Recording: when relationships are established, the use of a small notepad and writing practices that avoid shifting eyes from the respondent can be used
Revising/Reframing: It is normal to enter a field setting with many preconceived notions or biases that may be partially or completely wrong
Observation:
Conducting Semi-structured Interviews:
Guidelines for the Construction of Good Semi-structured Interview Questions:
Ordering Questions in an Interview:
Focus Group Interviews:
Autoethnography: