Research Methods|Thematic Analysis: A Step-by-Step Guide

Zhenting HE / 2024-12-17

Introduction #

Thematic Analysis (TA) is a flexible and systematic qualitative analysis method used to identify, analyze, and report patterns (themes) in textual data. This article draws on the theoretical foundations of Braun & Clarke (2006/2012) and Clarke & Braun (2017) to outline the application of TA.

Overview of the Procedure #

  1. Raw Data πŸ“

    • Data type: Social media texts/comments
    • Example:
      • “The newly built city square sculpture is very modern, but I feel it lacks cultural vibes.”

  2. Familiarize Yourself with Data πŸ”

    • Read the texts repeatedly to form an overall impression
    • Take initial notes and mark keywords
    • Example keywords: modern, lacks cultural vibe

  3. Generate Initial Codes 🏷️

    • Label segments of text
    • Example codes:
      • “Strong sense of modernity”
      • “Lacks cultural atmosphere”

  4. Search for Themes πŸ”—

    • Aggregate related codes into potential themes
    • Example theme:
      • “Evaluation of Public Art Aesthetics”

  5. Review Themes βœ…

    • Check whether themes cover all codes
    • Adjust, split, or merge themes if needed
    • Example adjustment:
      • Include both “strong sense of modernity” and “lacks cultural atmosphere” under “Evaluation of Public Art Aesthetics”

  6. Define and Name Themes ✏️

    • Write clear definitions and assign names to themes
    • Example:
      • Name: Evaluation of Public Art Aesthetics
      • Definition: Public evaluations and opinions on the aesthetic characteristics and cultural connotations of urban public art (e.g., sculptures, installations, architecture)

  7. Write the Report πŸ“„

    • Organize analysis by themes
    • Provide textual quotes as support
    • Example quote:
      • “The newly built city square sculpture is very modern, but I feel it lacks cultural vibes.” β†’ supports the theme “Evaluation of Public Art Aesthetics”

Detailed Steps and Practical Tips #

Step Key Actions Practical Tips
Familiarize with Data Read social media comments multiple times to form an overall impression Mark emotional words, aesthetic evaluation points (modernity, cultural sense, design, etc.)
Generate Initial Codes Assign short labels to each segment Examples: “strong sense of modernity”, “colorful impact”, “lack of cultural depth”
Search for Themes Aggregate similar codes into potential themes Use tables or mind maps to visualize relationships
Review Themes Check if themes cover all codes and adjust structure Ask peers or advisors to review for reliability
Define and Name Themes Write clear definitions and precise names Theme names should directly reflect public aesthetic concerns
Report Writing Organize content by themes and provide quotes Include representative text segments for each theme to enhance persuasiveness

Example of Complete Analysis Process #

Raw Data Segments (Weibo or Forum Comments)

  • “The design of this newly built bridge is very avant-garde, but I feel it is a bit cold and lacks city characteristics.”
  • “The square sculpture is colorful, but it does not match the surrounding environment.”

Analysis Steps Example

  1. Familiarize with Data

    • Highlight keywords: avant-garde, cold, lacks city characteristics, colorful, not matching environment

  2. Generate Initial Codes

    • Example codes: strong modernity, emotional coldness, lack of cultural sense, bright colors, environmental mismatch

  3. Search for Themes

    • Group related codes into potential theme: “Evaluation of Public Art Aesthetics”

  4. Review Themes

    • Check if the theme covers all codes and adjust/split if necessary

  5. Define and Name Theme

    • Name: Evaluation of Public Art Aesthetics
    • Definition: Public evaluation of aesthetic characteristics, emotional expression, and cultural connotations of urban public art

  6. Report Writing

    • Quote original text to support themes
    • Analyze public aesthetic preferences and interactions in digital media culture

Summary and Recommendations #

  • Theoretical Basis: Braun & Clarke (2006/2012) provide the methodological framework; Clarke & Braun (2017) emphasize theoretical stance and transparency
  • Operational Use: Flowcharts and examples help researchers systematically generate themes
  • Applicability: Suitable for aesthetic research, urban public art, architectural aesthetics, visual culture, and digital media text analysis
  • Practical Advice:
    • Start coding with a small dataset, then expand to larger datasets
    • Use tools (Excel, Notion, NVivo) to record codes
    • Choose precise theme names that reflect public aesthetic concerns
    • Iterate multiple times to ensure close alignment between data and themes

References #

  • Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.
  • Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021). Thematic analysis: A practical guide.
#Research Methods

Last modified on 2024-12-17