A Systematic Guide for Conducting Thematic Analysis in Qualitative Tourism Research
Abstract
Thematic analysis is a widely used method for analyzing qualitative data in social sciences research. This research article provides a step-by-step guide on conducting thematic analysis manually, emphasizing the importance of understanding the process for researchers seeking a deeper grasp of the nuances involved. The article highlights the key steps, including familiarizing oneself with the data, generating initial codes, searching for themes, reviewing and refining them, defining and naming the themes, and producing a final report. Through iterative reading, note-taking, and coding techniques, researchers can delve deep into the data, capture meaningful details, and uncover rich insights. Thematic analysis offers a valuable avenue for developing theoretical understanding, generating nuanced interpretations, and contributing to knowledge advancement in tourism research. The article also discusses the relevance and adaptability of thematic analysis in various qualitative research designs and methodologies. By prioritizing transparency, rigor, and a manual coding approach, researchers can ensure the validity and reliability of their thematic analysis, leading to robust and insightful findings.
References
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[2] Aspers, P., and Corte, U. 2019. What is qualitative in qualitative research. Qualitative Sociology, 42, 139-160. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11133-019-9413-7
[3] Baghel, S., and Pradhan, M. 2022. Bringing Research Close to Reality: A Case for Grounded Theory Methodology. In: Understanding Psychology in the Context of Relationship, Community, Workplace and Culture. Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-2693-8_17
[4] Belotto, M. J. 2018. Data analysis methods for qualitative research: Managing the challenges of coding, interrater reliability, and thematic analysis. The Qualitative Report, 23(11), 2622-2633. Retrieved from https://nsuworks.nova.edu/tqr/vol23/iss11/2a
[5] Brady, S. R. 2015. Utilizing and adapting the Delphi method for use in qualitative research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 14(5). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406915621381
[6] Braun, V., and Clarke, V. 2006. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
[7] Braun, V., and Clarke, V. 2014. What can ‘thematic analysis’ offer health and wellbeing researchers?. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 9(1), 26152. DOI:https://doi.org/10.3402/qhw.v9.26152
[8] Braun, V., and Clarke, V. 2019. Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 11(4), 589-597. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2019.1628806
[9] Braun, V., and Clarke, V. 2022. Conceptual and design thinking for thematic analysis. Qualitative Psychology, 9(1), 3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/qup0000196
[10] Byrne, D. 2022. A worked example of Braun and Clarke’s approach to reflexive thematic analysis. Quality and Quantity, 56(3), 1391-1412. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-021-01182-y
[11] Campbell, K. A., Orr, E., Durepos, P., Nguyen, L., Li, L., Whitmore, C., and Jack, S. M. 2021. Reflexive thematic analysis for applied qualitative health research. The Qualitative Report, 26(6), 2011-2028. DOI:https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2021.5010
[12] Castleberry, A., and Nolen, A. 2018. Thematic analysis of qualitative research data: Is it as easy as it sounds?. Currents in pharmacy teaching and learning, 10(6), 807-815. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cptl.2018.03.019
[13] Casula, M., Rangarajan, N., and Shields, P. 2021. The potential of working hypotheses for deductive exploratory research. Quality and Quantity, 55(5), 1703-1725. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-020-01072-9
[14] Firmin, R. L., Bonfils, K. A., Luther, L., Minor, K. S., and Salyers, M. P. 2017. Using text-analysis computer software and thematic analysis on the same qualitative data: A case example. Qualitative Psychology, 4(3), 201-210. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/qup0000050
[15] Fuchs, K. 2022. An interview study to explore the perceived usefulness of in-house training programs in tourism and hospitality education. Heliyon, e12547. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12547
[16] Grodal, S., Anteby, M., and Holm, A. L. 2021. Achieving rigor in qualitative analysis: The role of active categorization in theory building. Academy of Management Review, 46(3), 591-612. DOI:https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2018.0482
[17] Javadi, M., and Zarea, K. 2016. Understanding thematic analysis and its pitfall. Journal of Client Care, 1(1), 33-39. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15412/J.JCC.02010107
[18] Joffe, H. 2011. Thematic analysis. Qualitative research methods in mental health and psychotherapy: A guide for students and practitioners, 209-223. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119973249
[19] Kiger, M. E., and Varpio, L. 2020. Thematic analysis of qualitative data: AMEE Guide No. 131. Medical Teacher, 42(8), 846-854. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2020.1755030
[20] Kuckartz, U., Rädiker, S., Kuckartz, U., and Rädiker, S. 2019. Introduction: analyzing qualitative data with software. Analyzing Qualitative Data with MAXQDA: Text, Audio, and Video, 1-11. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15671-8_1
[21] Mackieson, P., Shlonsky, A., and Connolly, M. 2019. Increasing rigor and reducing bias in qualitative research: A document analysis of parliamentary debates using applied thematic analysis. Qualitative Social Work, 18(6), 965-980. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1473325018786996
[22] Maguire, M., and Delahunt, B. 2017. Doing a thematic analysis: A practical, step-by-step guide for learning and teaching scholars. All Ireland Journal of Higher Education, 9(3). Retrieved from http://ojs.aishe.org/index.php/aishe-j/article/view/335
[23] Mees-Buss, J., Welch, C., and Piekkari, R. 2022. From templates to heuristics: How and why to move beyond the Gioia methodology. Organizational Research Methods, 25(2), 405-429. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1177/1094428120967716
[24] Neuendorf, K. A. 2018. Content analysis and thematic analysis. In Advanced Research Methods for Applied Psychology, 211-223. Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315517971-21
[25] Nowell, L. S., Norris, J. M., White, D. E., and Moules, N. J. 2017. Thematic analysis: Striving to meet the trustworthiness criteria. International journal of qualitative methods, 16(1). DOI:10.1177/1609406917733847
[26] Palys, T., and Atchison, C. 2021. Research methods in the social and health sciences: Making Research Decisions. Sage Publications.
[27] Post, C., Sarala, R., Gatrell, C., and Prescott, J. E. 2020. Advancing theory with review articles. Journal of Management Studies, 57(2), 351-376. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12549
[28] Rashid, Y., Rashid, A., Warraich, M. A., Sabir, S. S., and Waseem, A. 2019. Case study method: A step-by-step guide for business researchers. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 18. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406919862424
[29] Sebele-Mpofu, F. Y. 2020. Saturation controversy in qualitative research: Complexities and underlying assumptions. A literature review. Cogent Social Sciences, 6(1), 1838706. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2020.1838706
[30] Stahl, N. A., and King, J. R. 2020. Expanding approaches for research: Understanding and using trustworthiness in qualitative research. Journal of Developmental Education, 44(1), 26-28. Retrieved from DOI:https://www.jstor.org/stable/45381095
[31] Williams, M., and Moser, T. 2019. The art of coding and thematic exploration in qualitative research. International Management Review, 15(1), 45-55. Retrieved from: www.imrjournal.org/uploads/1/4/2/8/14286482/imr-v15n1art4.pdf
[32] Wilson, C., and Cariola, L. A. 2020. LGBTQI+ youth and mental health: A systematic review of qualitative research. Adolescent Research Review, 5, 187-211. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40894-019-00118-w
Published
2023-09-29
How to Cite
FUCHS, Kevin.
A Systematic Guide for Conducting Thematic Analysis in Qualitative Tourism Research.
Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism, [S.l.], v. 14, n. 6, p. 2696 - 2703, sep. 2023.
ISSN 2068-7729.
Available at: <https://journals.aserspublishing.eu/jemt/article/view/8089>. Date accessed: 21 may 2024.
doi: https://doi.org/10.14505/jemt.v14.6(70).17.
Section
Article
Copyright© 2023 The Author(s). Published by ASERS Publishing 2023. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of CC-BY 4.0 license.