What is “thematic analysis” used for in qualitative research?

Thematic analysis is a widely used method in qualitative research that focuses on identifying and analyzing patterns and themes within qualitative data. This process involves systematically examining the data—such as interviews, focus groups, or written texts—to find recurring topics, ideas, or phrases that provide insight into the participants' experiences or perspectives. The emphasis is on capturing the richness of the data by interpreting its meanings and contexts, which can lead to a deeper understanding of the research question.

This method allows researchers to organize their findings in a way that is meaningful and thematic, thus facilitating the presentation of results in a structured manner. By summarizing the main themes, researchers can convey complex information in a digestible format, thereby enhancing the depth and breadth of analysis without reducing the qualitative data to mere numbers or stats.