I would also agree with David. I have used the approach to thematic analysis proposed by Braun and Clarke (2006) and find it helpful and straight forward:

Phase 1: familiarising yourself with your data

Phase 2: generating initial codes

Phase 3: searching for themes

Phase 4: reviewing themes

Phase 5: defining and naming themes

Phase 6: producing the report

Link to the paper where each phase is explained in detail: Article Using Thematic Analysis in Psychology

Qualitative data in a semi-structured interview can be analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding.

Usually, in the qualitative research method, we must continue the interviews to a point where the new factor is not added to the previous factors, and so the research will be saturated. For example, you might see that in the fifteenth and sixteenth interviews a new factor has not been added to previous factors; or you have to do 20 interviews or more.Therefore, it seems that in qualitative research, the exact number of samples can not be determined.

Thank you.

Analyze the data using inductive processes such as those proposed by Corbin and Strauss. I would also consult with Sharan B Merriam books as she is very clear. As for sample size, there is no standard on this issue

One of the most widely used approaches to qualitative analysis is Braun and Clarke (2006) on thematic analysis

There are good (I wont say 'great') software programs that you can buy/borrow/download, that can do this for you. Most of them are word-search and compare/contrast algorithm based. They saved me a LOT of time in my PhD dissertation!

Thanks thomas for your response, can you please share or recommend the best software that you already used?

I would also agree with David. I have used the approach to thematic analysis proposed by Braun and Clarke (2006) and find it helpful and straight forward:

Phase 1: familiarising yourself with your data

Phase 2: generating initial codes

Phase 3: searching for themes

Phase 4: reviewing themes

Phase 5: defining and naming themes

Phase 6: producing the report

Link to the paper where each phase is explained in detail: Article Using Thematic Analysis in Psychology

which programs...my interviews were not done in English which programs can code data in a different language

I'm afraid you may not like my response. The whole import of quantitative information is to provide a rich context within which to examine and analyze the meanings articulated by a subject, or by subjects, and then to tease out the motivations behind these statements. Treating such material early either synoptically or quantitatively will lose much of the texture and individuality of the responses. The synopsis can emerge later assisted by a separate quantitative approach that can either support or call into question the qualitative findings. Yes, this is more work, but the robustness of the findings are usually worth it.

I recommend the soft ware Nvivo which is easy to learn as well.

By the use of Nvivo software. Both thematic and content analysis can be used as analytical tools

We can analyze manually too

The following publications may further help:

• Blank, G. (2004) Teaching qualitative data analysis to graduate students, Social Science Computer Review, 22, 2, pp. 187-196.
• Dey, I. (2005) Qualitative data analysis: A user-friendly guide for social scientists. New York: Routledge.
• Reeves, S., Kuper, A. and Hodges, B. D. (2008) Qualitative research methodologies: ethnography, British Medical Journal, 337, a1020, pp. 512-514.
• Sangasubana, N. (2011) How to Conduct Ethnographic Research, The Qualitative Report, 16, 2, pp. 567-573

An analyst can either use software (Nvivo) or manually type all data on Microsoft word files and/or sheets of papers. For every interview, it is recommended having one separate file with a pseudonym. When it comes to the analysis stage, there are different techniques that could be useful. For example, some researchers might use the coding technique used in 'grounded theory' wherein the focus is on coding the data (1. Open coding: This is a way of categorizing the data into smaller chunks; 2 Axial coding: reading through the selected texts and concepts to label them, and 3. Selective coding: Intensive readings of the data to compare the coded segments to make themes). Other researchers might use a 'thematic network analysis' technique that focuses on"(a) the reduction or breakdown of the text; (b) the exploration of the text; and (c) the integration of the exploration" (Attride-Stirling, 2001, p. 390). Meanwhile, using the 'interpretational' and 'reflective' analysis tools are useful in the strengthening of the interpretations in all cases!

As for the size of the sample, it is up to the focus and objectives of your research. In other words, you could have only one case (one participant) or more, depending on whether 'generalizability' is targeted! And 'generalizability' is not targeted in qualitative studies but the presence of different studies on the same issue might lead to generalizing the findings. Above all, when the data is saturated (regardless of whether you have made 20 or 100 interviews), it is then considered to be acceptable.

Hope this helps!

All the best!