Integrating Qualitative Comparative Analysis With Reflexive Thematic Analysis in Theme Development
A transparent analytical process contributes to the methodological rigor of reflexive thematic analysis. To enhance such transparency in reflexive thematic analysis, novice researchers need to document and present the analytical processes of theme development. In this article, we showcase how qualit...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2025-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Qualitative Methods |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069251318749 |
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| _version_ | 1832539894144040960 |
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| author | Yi Sun Jasper Hsieh Xuesong (Andy) Gao |
| author_facet | Yi Sun Jasper Hsieh Xuesong (Andy) Gao |
| author_sort | Yi Sun |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A transparent analytical process contributes to the methodological rigor of reflexive thematic analysis. To enhance such transparency in reflexive thematic analysis, novice researchers need to document and present the analytical processes of theme development. In this article, we showcase how qualitative comparative analysis can be integrated into reflexive thematic analysis as a strategy for novice researchers. We demonstrate how novice researchers can develop codes and categories, use qualitative comparative analysis to facilitate the exploration of the complex causal relationships between categories, and construct candidate themes based on these analyses. We then show how novice researchers can continue developing these themes by creating relationships between codes and categories on the basis of qualitative data and existing literature. Such integration of methods not only facilitates theme development, but also assists researchers in justifying the decisions made in a reflexive thematic analysis process. The analytical procedures presented in this article may thus help novice researchers engaged in reflexive thematic analysis to enhance the transparency of their analytical process. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-55298bd8e5974d738d85bf89f36ec696 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1609-4069 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Qualitative Methods |
| spelling | doaj-art-55298bd8e5974d738d85bf89f36ec6962025-02-05T08:03:34ZengSAGE PublishingInternational Journal of Qualitative Methods1609-40692025-01-012410.1177/16094069251318749Integrating Qualitative Comparative Analysis With Reflexive Thematic Analysis in Theme DevelopmentYi SunJasper HsiehXuesong (Andy) GaoA transparent analytical process contributes to the methodological rigor of reflexive thematic analysis. To enhance such transparency in reflexive thematic analysis, novice researchers need to document and present the analytical processes of theme development. In this article, we showcase how qualitative comparative analysis can be integrated into reflexive thematic analysis as a strategy for novice researchers. We demonstrate how novice researchers can develop codes and categories, use qualitative comparative analysis to facilitate the exploration of the complex causal relationships between categories, and construct candidate themes based on these analyses. We then show how novice researchers can continue developing these themes by creating relationships between codes and categories on the basis of qualitative data and existing literature. Such integration of methods not only facilitates theme development, but also assists researchers in justifying the decisions made in a reflexive thematic analysis process. The analytical procedures presented in this article may thus help novice researchers engaged in reflexive thematic analysis to enhance the transparency of their analytical process.https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069251318749 |
| spellingShingle | Yi Sun Jasper Hsieh Xuesong (Andy) Gao Integrating Qualitative Comparative Analysis With Reflexive Thematic Analysis in Theme Development International Journal of Qualitative Methods |
| title | Integrating Qualitative Comparative Analysis With Reflexive Thematic Analysis in Theme Development |
| title_full | Integrating Qualitative Comparative Analysis With Reflexive Thematic Analysis in Theme Development |
| title_fullStr | Integrating Qualitative Comparative Analysis With Reflexive Thematic Analysis in Theme Development |
| title_full_unstemmed | Integrating Qualitative Comparative Analysis With Reflexive Thematic Analysis in Theme Development |
| title_short | Integrating Qualitative Comparative Analysis With Reflexive Thematic Analysis in Theme Development |
| title_sort | integrating qualitative comparative analysis with reflexive thematic analysis in theme development |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069251318749 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT yisun integratingqualitativecomparativeanalysiswithreflexivethematicanalysisinthemedevelopment AT jasperhsieh integratingqualitativecomparativeanalysiswithreflexivethematicanalysisinthemedevelopment AT xuesongandygao integratingqualitativecomparativeanalysiswithreflexivethematicanalysisinthemedevelopment |