Thematic networks: an analytic tool for qualitative research

TLDR

Qualitative research has expanded, yet robust analytical tools remain scarce, and thematic networks provide web‑like illustrations that summarize main themes. This article presents a step‑by‑step thematic analysis technique that employs established methods and uses thematic networks to aid and structure the analysis. Thematic networks are a robust and highly sensitive tool for systematizing and presenting qualitative analyses.

Abstract

The growth in qualitative research is a well-noted and welcomed fact within the social sciences; however, there is a regrettable lack of tools available for the analysis of qualitative material. There is a need for greater disclosure in qualitative analysis, and for more sophisticated tools to facilitate such analyses. This article details a technique for conducting thematic analysis of qualitative material, presenting a step-by-step guide of the analytic process, with the aid of an empirical example. The analytic method presented employs established, well-known techniques; the article proposes that thematic analyses can be usefully aided by and presented as thematic networks. Thematic networks are web-like illustrations that summarize the main themes constituting a piece of text. The thematic networks technique is a robust and highly sensitive tool for the systematization and presentation of qualitative analyses.