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How to Do Thematic Analysis

Turn interview and text data into clear, evidence-based themes.

8 min read · Written by UK academic writers

Quick Answer

Thematic analysis is a qualitative method for identifying patterns, or themes, across data such as interviews. The widely used Braun and Clarke approach has six phases: familiarisation, coding, generating themes, reviewing them, defining them, and writing up with supporting quotations.

Thematic analysis is the most common way UK students analyse qualitative data, but it is more rigorous than simply picking out quotes. This guide walks through the six-phase process step by step.

Familiarise Yourself With the Data

Read and reread your transcripts or texts, noting initial ideas. Deep familiarity with the data is the foundation of trustworthy analysis.

Generate Initial Codes

Work systematically through the data, labelling meaningful segments with codes that capture their content. Codes are the building blocks of your themes.

Search for Themes

Group related codes into candidate themes, patterns of meaning that say something important about your research question.

  • Cluster similar codes together
  • Look for patterns across participants
  • Themes should be more than single codes

Review and Define Themes

Check that themes are coherent, distinct and supported by the data. Refine, merge or split them, then define clearly what each theme is and is not.

Write Up With Evidence

Report your themes in a clear narrative, using participant quotations as evidence, and interpret them in relation to your research questions and the literature.

Key Takeaways
  • Immerse yourself in the data first
  • Code meaningful segments systematically
  • Group codes into candidate themes
  • Review and clearly define each theme
  • Report themes with supporting quotations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is thematic analysis?

A qualitative method for identifying and interpreting patterns, or themes, across data such as interviews or texts.

What are the six phases of thematic analysis?

Familiarisation, coding, generating themes, reviewing themes, defining themes, and writing up, in the Braun and Clarke approach.

What is the difference between a code and a theme?

A code labels a small segment of data; a theme is a broader pattern of meaning built from related codes.

Do I report quotations in thematic analysis?

Yes. Participant quotations provide the evidence that supports and illustrates each theme.

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