This article is aimed at researchers and doctoral students new to thematic analysis by describing a framework to assist their processes. This design consisted of three distinct phases: quantitative, qualitative and implementation phases. This analysis formed part of a mixed methods multiphase design research project, with both qualitative and quantitative inquiry and involving the convergence of data and analyses.
This article details the codebook development which contributed to thematic analysis of qualitative data. However, a well described qualitative methodology could demonstrate and ensure the same effect.
Rigour in quantitative research is often determined through detailed explanation allowing replication, but the ability to replicate is often not considered appropriate in qualitative research. As one of research’s aims is to determine the relationship between knowledge and practice through the demonstration of rigour, more detailed descriptions of methods could prove useful. While qualitative research methodologies are now mature, there often remains a lack of fine detail in their description both at submitted peer reviewed article level and in textbooks. This is compounded by the fact that detailed descriptions of methods are often omitted from qualitative discussions. Navigating the world of qualitative thematic analysis can be challenging.
