Clarke and Braun’s Thematic Data Analysis: Six-Step Qualitative Data Analysis Process
Arguably, Braun and Clarke’s 6 step thematic analysis method is one of the most empirically based and widely used methods of conducting thematic analysis. The thematic analysis process in qualitative research is a proven approach to identifying, analyzing, and reporting patterns in data. We offer Clarke and Braun’s thematic data analysis services. Get the qualitative data analysis help you need for the phases of thematic analysis. This webpage describes Clarke and Braun’s six-step thematic data analysis process. The six-step qualitative data analysis process developed by Clarke and Braun is a thematic analysis method that assists researchers in identifying and describing themes and patterns in qualitative data. The following are the six thematic analysis process steps:
How Does Thematic Analysis Work?
Thematic analysis works by transitioning from raw data collected through interviews, focus groups, observations, or document analysis into meaning. The thematic analysis process requires immersing yourself in transcripts, labeling meaningful segments with codes, clustering codes into themes, checking themes against the full dataset, defining what each theme captures, and answering the research questions using participants’ quotes.
The thematic analysis process is iterative and not a linear process.
Thematic Analysis Procedure at a Glance
| The thematic analysis procedure: Braun and Clarke’s six phases and what each one produces | ||
| Phase | What happens | Output |
| 1. Familiarizing yourself with the data | Transcribe, read, and re-read the dataset, noting first impressions | Familiarization notes |
| 2. Generating initial codes | Label every data segment relevant to the research questions | Coded dataset and code list |
| 3. Generating initial themes | Cluster codes that share a central idea into candidate themes | Candidate themes and an initial thematic map |
| 4. Developing and reviewing themes | Test themes against coded extracts, then against the whole dataset | Revised thematic map |
| 5. Refining, defining and naming themes | Write a definition and a clear name for each theme and sub-theme | Theme definitions and final names |
| 6. Writing up | Weave themes, quotes and interpretation into a report | Findings chapter (often Chapter 4) |
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Clarke and Braun’s Six-step Thematic Data Analysis Process
Phases of Thematic Analysis Process or Steps to Thematic Analysis
Thematic Analysis Step 1: Familiarizing with Your Data
The initial step of thematic analysis is to become familiar with your data. Before evaluating specific items, our qualitative data analyst completely understands all that you collected. This may entail transcribing audio, reviewing the material, and taking preliminary notes. Generally, our qualitative data analysts read your transcript at least two times. Re-reading the data enables our qualitative research experts to identify all the relevant information that can be used in answering the research questions. Familiarizing ourselves with interviews, focus groups, observations, or documents provides the foundation for our thematic analysts to perform inductive coding. This step of thematic analysis can be time-consuming and requires patience, and our research data experts understand that re-reading all your data is essential in deriving in-depth qualitative insights from the collected data. At the end of this phase, our researchers import all your transcripts into MAXQDA or NVivo to support thematic analysis
Step 2: Assigning Your Data Preliminary Codes: A Process of Thematic Analysis
The second step of thematic analysis involves assigning codes to your data. Our qualitative data analysts understand that a code is a quick explanation of what is mentioned in the interview. Codes are essential components of the reflexive thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke) because they provide the foundation for each theme.
Codes provide the foundation for creating themes and sub-themes, which are used in answering research questions. At this phase, our qualitative research data experts perform first- and second-cycle coding. The first-cycle coding used by our experts in qualitative research is attribute coding, in vivo coding, and initial coding.
Our qualitative experts use attribute coding to assess the demographic data you collected from your participants. In vivo coding, which is also known as literal coding, verbatim coding, natural coding, emic coding, inductive coding, or indigenous coding, allows our researchers to identify actual participants’ verbatim responses that are relevant to the research questions.
Initial coding, free coding, or open coding is used by our qualitative thematic analysts to break down qualitative data into discrete parts. Combining inductive and in vivo coding promotes deriving qualitative depth from your data. The second cycle coding method used by our experts in Braun and Clarke’s six-step thematic analysis process is pattern coding, which transitions us to the next phase.
Kindly note that the coding methods our thematic analysts use differ based on your data. Get the qualitative data coding assistance you need from our research data experts who use MAXQDA or NVivo for reflexive thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke). We are professionals!
Step 3: Searching for Themes and Patterns in Your Codes in the Thematic Analysis Procedure
In this process of thematic analysis, we search for themes by reviewing the created codes list. The aim is to extract the themes that can be used to answer your research questions.
In this process of thematic analysis, our researchers shift their focus from interpreting individual transcripts to the interpretation of the aggregate meaning emerging from the entire dataset. Generating themes involves combining codes to derive shared or recurrent meanings. Identifying any divergent concepts is essential in providing a comprehensive understanding of the data.
At the end of this step of thematic analysis, our qualitative researchers develop a thematic map containing the research questions, themes, and sub-themes.
Step 4: Reviewing Themes Phase of Braun and Clarke Thematic Analysis
After identifying them, review them to ensure they are accurate and usable depictions of the data. Our qualitative data analysts navigate back to the data sets and contrast the themes by asking: Is there anything we are missing? Are the themes evident in the data? What can we modify? Reviewing the themes at the fourth Braun and Clarke 6-step thematic analysis facilitates identifying the relationship among the themes and subthemes.
Thematic Analysis Step 5: Defining and Naming Themes
We use participants’ verbatim responses to define the data, supporting trustworthiness. Our qualitative researcher expresses each theme and sub-theme concerning the dataset and research question(s). Defining themes involves performing a deep analysis of the underlying data items.
Step 6: Producing your Report after Braun and Clarke Thematic Analysis
Our qualitative data analysts will develop your findings or results chapter. In the chapter, we use quotes from participant comments to highlight your findings. When you order our thematic analysis services, you will get:
- The output data: We use MAXQDA or NVivo to support coding, data management, and thematic analysis
- A report on your findings. The report, which is often Chapter 4 of your dissertation, thesis, project, capstone, or research, will be developed in adherence to your university’s or institution’s template and handbook. The common sections we include in the findings section include an explanation of participants’ demographics, a discussion of the data collection performed, an overview of the data analysis completed, a description of evidence of trustworthiness, a presentation of findings organized according to the research questions, themes, and subthemes (supported by participants’ verbatim responses), and finally the summary of the chapter.
- A discussion of the findings, where we relate the results to the published literature and theoretical framework, an explanation of the implications, an overview of the recommendations for future practice, an outline of the limitations, and a conclusion.
The above reflexive account of Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis is intended to help you understand what to expect when you order our thematic analysis services. Contact us now and let’s discuss how we can provide a detailed qualitative thematic analysis per Braun and Clarke’s six steps. We understand the phases of thematic analysis and reflexive thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke). When performing the qualitative data analysis, we ensure that we accurately discuss the steps of thematic analysis.
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Our qualitative analysts handle the full thematic analysis process, from familiarisation and coding in NVivo or MAXQDA to a findings chapter.
