Applied Thematic Analysis

“There are few qualitative texts that really present a step-by-step process of how to analyze qualitative data in a systematic and rigorous way. It is very well written, students will find this text helpful. The examples are great.” -- Howard K. Butcher
“I like that it is practice focused. The real world examples are key and the real world problems make the text more useful. The exercises are nice to pick from for in-class activities or small projects.” -- Natoshia M. Askelson
I really think that this is the book that was very much needed. Thematic analysis in my experience is one of the most popular techniques that students use in their dissertations, but there has been little written about methodological foundations and the actual process and procedures of this kind of analysis. I think this book fills this gap very well and provides the description of actual analytical techniques to make the process more structured and rigorous. The book also incorporates examples from NVivo which is a very popular software with many institutions at the moment. The second section is about quantifying qualitative findings – and integrating quantitative and qualitative data. I find the description interesting and there are a couple of very useful tables and classifications of how to do it which no doubt will be useful for students. The section on writing up findings is really useful and I think can be used as a teaching material even if one is not using thematic analysis. Overall the book is very good and I would definitely recommend it to students on Dissertation Writing modules and/or PG Research Methods. -- Maria Karepova
Excellent text - definitely fills a gap for this type of data analysis -- Dr Anne Mills * drupal *
Deals with topic in a clear and easily understoood manner. Guides the students through the various stages and provides thought provoking discussion at intervals. -- Dr Anne Mills * drupal *
Thematic analysis is often used as a vague catch-all term for qualitative research, so it′s especially helpful to have this text to flesh out and formalise the approach. Particularly useful are the description of how to create a coding frame and example code definitions. For someone new to thematic analysis (proper), this book would be extremely useful. -- Dr Benjamin Gardner * drupal *
This book will not be used for this course as the course is purely about thematic analysis emanating from grounded theory and will look at code production and theme generation from inductive and deductive means. This book focuses on Applied Thematic Analysis (ATA) rather than how thematic analysis is applied. Whilst this book is not suitable for the course, it may be used in publications and used in my own research as there are some interesting comparisons and discussion points between the difference between thematic analysis and ATA. The book also has useful information about coding and theme generation and how researchers may link themes to theory, which is an important aspect of research. -- Dr Emma Rowland * drupal *
One of the best books ever written on thematic analysis. The book gives a good grasp on what thematic analysis is all about. Strongly recommended for masters and PhD students. -- Dr Fawaz Baddar * drupal *
Ordered for Library and recommended for an upcoming qualitative methods course. -- Dr John Hedgcock * drupal *
good text but too specific for introductory course -- Dr Kathryn Obenchain * drupal *
I really think that this is the book that was very much needed. Thematic analysis in my experience is one of the most popular techniques that students use in their dissertations, but there has been little written about methodological foundations and the actual process and procedures of this kind of analysis. I think this book fills this gap very well and provides description of actual analytical techniques to make the process more structured and reliable. The book also incorporates examples from NVivo which is a very popular software with many institutions at the moment. The second section is about quantifying qualitative findings – and integrating quantitative and qualitative data. I find the description interesting and there are a couple of very useful tables and classifications of how to do it which no doubt will be useful for students. Finally the section on writing up findings is really useful and I think can be used as a teaching material even if one is not using thematic analysis, because students always have difficulties when they are trying to write up their findings chapters. Overall the book is very good and I would definitely recommend it to students on Dissertation Writing modules and/or PG Research Methods -- Dr Maria Adamson * drupal *
very nicely done support text for students doing thematic analysis. will also use as dissertation support -- Dr Sharon Wyatt * drupal *
A detailed, practical handbook on thematic analysis that focuses on applied research using textual data. It is strong on the selection of methods of analysis that are fit for purpose and on choosing qualitative data analysis software. (On the first point, the chapter in planning and preparing an analysis offers a usefully fuller account of this process than most of the literature on thematic analysis that I have come across.) The book′s main limitations are its deliberate avoidance of theoretical discussion and a (related?) tendency to give house room to some superficial approaches to word counting and quantitative content analysis. For our purposes on doctoral training in applied psychology I would have valued a more detailed account of visual methods and a broader range of examples outside anthropology. -- Dr Tony Cline * drupal *
This book offers a practical guidance on how to apply the thematic analysis in practice even for someone who has never conducted qualitative research. It is written in a simple language and therefore very approachable from the reader′s perspective. It also includes real-world examples which again help to illustrate how the thematic analysis should be conducted. -- Miss Magdalena Marczak * drupal *
An excellent text that explains the use of applied thematic analysis. A useful companion when undertaking thematic research. -- Mr Alan Marvell * drupal *
Applied thematic Analysis (ATA) provides students and researchers with a practical framework for undertaking inductive thematic analysis on most types of qualitative data. This book is made up of 10 chapters which are well written in assessable language for beginners and experienced researchers alike. Chapters one to three introduce the reader to the concept of applied thematic analysis and cover many of the analytic techniques used in ATA, provides instruction and guidance for planning and preparing the data analysis, and explains how to segment text and develop data themes and codes. Chapter four covers the validity and reliability of research design most commonly associated with quantitative approaches, as well as, credibility and dependability in qualitative research design. Book Chapters five to seven discuss different analysis techniques and processes such as: key word searches and negative case analysis, in addition to, how to analyse data from focus groups. The remaining chapters eight to ten define mixed methods research and describe integrating qualitative and quantitative data, selecting qualitative and quantitative data analysis software and the factors to consider, and writing up applied thematic analysis with regards to customising the report for different types of audiences. In summary, this book is essential reading for anyone who is interested in undertaking a thematic approach to gathering, analysing, interpreting and producing empirical research reports. -- Mr Gary McKenna * drupal *
A very useful text to guide and support dissertation or postgrad students implementing thematic analysis in their projects. Provides a great step by step guide to apply analysis in a flexible manner. Also well written and easy to follow. -- Mr Hassan Khalil * drupal *
A thorough and much needed text on what is a very useful but often misunderstood research technique. Written clearly, with reference to the many practical exercises contained within, the reader is carefully taken through the steps of the Thematic Analysis process. A variety of common pitfalls are outlined and addressed throughout each stage of the process. Overall, an excellent resource. -- Mr James Deane * drupal *
Well written book , will be useful for the postgraduate students who are doing qualitative research . This book has given details description of carrying out thematic analysis which will be very useful early stage career researchers. The other books in the market on thematic analysis are not helpful like this. Very easy to read and understand the critical issues. I would recommend all the postgrads to have it. -- Mr Russell Kabir * drupal *
An excellent and detailed overview of thematic analysis - an approach favoured by many dissertation students. Both detailed and easy to read. -- Mr Simon Bishop * drupal *
A comprehensive, practice-based guide to Thematic Analysis. Useful for early researchers because it sets out the concepts, methodology and processes of this form of analysis as distinct from other approaches. -- Mrs Amanda O'Shea * drupal *
A comprehensive text on Qualitative Data Analysis.
The exercises were useful helping students to understand the process. -- Mrs Carol Ellis * drupal *
Useful insight into thematic analysis for the more junior researcher/new researcher in this topic. -- Ms Caia Francis * drupal *
Content wise, a decent book on thematic analysis. -- Ms Chrysavgi Sklaveniti * drupal *
For M level social work students who are undertaking primary qualitative research this book offers the key features and guidance of a popular method of analysis and how to undertake it in a rigorous and credible way -- Ms Rhiannon Jones * drupal *
Excellent book, but I couldn′t fit it into my existing syllabus. -- Professor Susan Hawes * drupal *