Analysing my data using template analysis. Have used apriori themes in initial template, and am describing the process of modifying the template as i go along. Am getting a bit confused about codes and themes, i am collecting more codes as i analyse say each batch of 3 interviews, then reviewing these codes, re-organising and amending the template and going onto the next 3 etc. I will then go back through all the data with the final template. Should my final template be my final themes and sub themes? Or can they be my final codes, which are then subject to further reorganising into final themes? Many thanks for any advice! (Its for my masters and getting close to panic stage......:)
Start by collar coding key words and phrases. and look for repetitions (how often and trends). Also use SPSS to enter your data and it will help you with your final report.
Sounds like you are doing a qualitative analysis. If so, you would report your final themes and supporting themes. The codes are the ingredients in the recipe. Not necessary unless asked for by others to see how you got your results. I use Atlas.ti as my QA data analysis suppor. I also found the coding book by Susan Friese who works with Atlas.ti invaluable. I also talked with other QA researchers as I find most Quantitative Researchers are unfamiliar with QA work, data analysis and terms. I hope this helps. There is also a valuable book by Saladra on coding.
Most people consider codes to be "smaller" or more specific than themes, In particular, it is quite common to see write-ups in the Results sections for qualitative articles that begin with a statement such as: "There four basic themes..." (or three or five or whatever).
So, I would think of the themes as the basic organizational structure for presenting your results to your readers.
Thank you so much for your responses, this is such an amazing resource, its great to be able to connect with people from all over! Has anyone used specifically 'Template Analysis' championed by Nigel King?
Have you seen the attached article? King is a co-author and it includes three examples of template analysis.
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