Using Framework Analysis in Applied Qualitative Research

TLDR

Framework analysis, designed for applied policy research, is a comparative thematic method that uses inductively and deductively derived themes to conduct cross‑sectional analysis of diverse data types. The paper aims to identify, describe, and interpret key patterns across cases and themes, while reflecting on the value of framework analysis for applied research. Framework analysis is carried out in five steps—data familiarization, framework identification, indexing, charting, and mapping/interpretation—by first creating an analytic framework and then applying it to the data. The worked example contributes to the literature by detailing analysis specifics and emphasizing the importance of multiple units of analysis.

Abstract

Framework analysis and applied qualitative research can be a perfect match, in large part because framework analysis was developed for the explicit purpose of analyzing qualitative data in applied policy research. Framework analysis is an inherently comparative form of thematic analysis which employs an organized structure of inductively- and deductively-derived themes (i.e., a framework) to conduct cross-sectional analysis using a combination of data description and abstraction. The overall objective of framework analysis is to identify, describe, and interpret key patterns within and across cases of and themes within the phenomenon of interest. This flexible and powerful method of analysis has been applied to a variety of data types and used in a range of ways in applied research. Framework analysis consists of two major components: creating an analytic framework and applying this analytic framework. This paper details the five steps in framework analysis (data familiarization, framework identification, indexing, charting, and mapping and interpretation) through conducting secondary analysis on this special issue’s common dataset. This worked example adds to the existing framework analysis methodology literature both through describing the analysis specifics and through highlighting the importance of multiple considerations of units of analysis. This paper also includes reflection on the myriad reasons that framework analysis is valuable for applied research.