Thematic analysis is probably the most commonly used approach. See Braun & Clarke (2022) Thematic Analysis: A Practical Guide.
Your best choice would depend on your research question, but I can recommend thematic analysis and framework analysis if you are new to qualitative data analysis. Reference for framework analysis: Article Using the framework method for the analysis of qualitative d...
Analyzing qualitative data involves interpreting and making sense of the rich information gathered from interviews, observations, focus groups, or textual sources.
Remember, qualitative analysis is an iterative and reflexive process. It requires immersion in the data, an open and flexible mindset, and attention to detail. Various qualitative analysis techniques and frameworks exist, such as thematic analysis, content analysis, or grounded theory. Choosing an approach that aligns with your research goals and context can provide additional guidance throughout the analysis process.
I would choose thematic analysis in the absence of any approach directed by the study itself. Look for the common threads in the responses you get, and group these together - but don't be fooled into thinking the numbers of responses in each group you've created are as important as in a quantitative approach. In my youth I was taught to put each topic mentioned by a respondent, each theme identified, on paper but on a separate line and then cut up the paper with scissors to allow the formation of piles of related responses. Nowadays Nvivo software uses a similar approach but does this electronically. Many academic institutions offer Nvivo to students.
Phil Back I too was taught to do a "scissors sort" -- using a long table or a short hallway to group the piles. Now days, all the qualitative analysis programs (including not just NVivo) are still based on automating this same underlying manual process.
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