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The Cognitive Basis of Thematic Analysis
- Source :
-
International Journal of Research & Method in Education . 2024 47(3):277-287. - Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Underlying thematic analysis are a few fundamental human cognitive processes, such as categorizing, prototyping and metaphorical mapping. By unpacking these basic processes of human cognition, this paper hopes to provide a cognitive basis for thematic analysis as a foundational method in data analysis for qualitative research. In particular, it hopes to address the gap between qualitative methodologists' assumption of thematic analysis as a subjective, creative and flexible process and editors/reviewers' expectation that thematic analysis shall be objective, reliable and rigorous. By consciously and purposefully applying these cognitive processes, thematic analysis can be subjective and yet disciplined, creative and yet rigorous, flexible and yet reliable. The ultimate goal of this paper is to demystify, delineate and further demarcate the thematic analysis process for young and novice qualitative researchers.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1743-727X and 1743-7288
- Volume :
- 47
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- ERIC
- Journal :
- International Journal of Research & Method in Education
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- EJ1423407
- Document Type :
- Journal Articles<br />Reports - Evaluative
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/1743727X.2023.2274337