Reflexive thematic analysis (TA) is a qualitative method that involves identifying, analyzing, and interpreting patterns of meaning within data, and it is characterized by its flexibility and the active role of the researcher in the process. The stages of reflexive TA can be outlined as follows:
Familiarization with the Data: This initial stage involves immersing oneself in the data to become thoroughly familiar with its content. This includes reading and re-reading the data, and noting down initial ideas. The goal is to get a deep understanding of the data before moving on to more detailed analysis 1.
Generating Initial Codes: In this stage, the researcher systematically codes interesting features of the data across the entire dataset. This involves identifying and labeling segments of data that appear relevant to the research question. The coding process is organic and flexible, allowing for the development of new codes as the researcher progresses through the data 2.
Searching for Themes: Once the data has been coded, the researcher begins to collate codes into potential themes. This involves sorting the different codes into themes and gathering all the relevant data extracts within each theme. Themes are broader patterns of meaning that are significant to the research question 3.
Reviewing Themes: In this stage, the researcher reviews and refines the themes. This involves checking if the themes work in relation to the coded extracts and the entire dataset. The researcher may need to split, combine, or discard themes to ensure they accurately reflect the data. This stage often involves going back to the data to ensure the themes are coherent and meaningful 4.
Defining and Naming Themes: After refining the themes, the researcher defines and names them. This involves writing detailed analysis for each theme, identifying the essence of what each theme is about, and determining what aspect of the data each theme captures. The researcher also considers how each theme fits into the overall story of the data 5.
Producing the Report: The final stage involves writing up the analysis. This includes weaving together the analytic narrative and data extracts to tell a coherent and persuasive story about the data. The report should provide a clear and compelling account of the data, grounded in the themes identified 6.
These stages are iterative and reflexive, meaning the researcher may move back and forth between them as needed to refine and deepen the analysis. The active role of the researcher in interpreting the data is a key feature of reflexive TA, distinguishing it from more rigid, codebook-based approaches 7.