I am trying to write the data analysis part for my proposal, I have read many articles but I do not know why am still finding it confusing. I am using Phenomenological framework and i will have Open-end question survey, Focus Group, Semi-structured interviews and Narrative videos.
I am considering using Thematic analysis but I can't figure out what approach.
Thank you
Yes, choosing a method of analysis can be daunting. It sounds like you're doing qualitative work but don't know how to actualize the materials gained. Stop. Take a breath. Ask, first, "What do I want to know?" Then ask "What analytic approach will take me to that type of understanding." You may want to limit your dat to one or at most two of the interview formats (you've got a wide net here) and then use just one system of analytics. Once you're clear on these issues you and your advisor need to talk about your goals and the best way to tighten the proposal and then its methodology.
Yes, choosing a method of analysis can be daunting. It sounds like you're doing qualitative work but don't know how to actualize the materials gained. Stop. Take a breath. Ask, first, "What do I want to know?" Then ask "What analytic approach will take me to that type of understanding." You may want to limit your dat to one or at most two of the interview formats (you've got a wide net here) and then use just one system of analytics. Once you're clear on these issues you and your advisor need to talk about your goals and the best way to tighten the proposal and then its methodology.
Hello Zaror! As far as I can see, you are just panicking while I do not see any reason to panic. See, it is just a proposal and you are not writing the report. At this stage, you are supposed to explore more. There is no wrong way of doing qualitative research. What you need to do is to justify your selection of methods of data analysis. You need to do this step by step. First, ponder over your research as a whole. You need to look into your objectives and what kind of phenomenon you are going to deal with. If your research is a phenomenological research, your collection of data should suitably be through FGD, semi structured interviews or unstructured interviews etc. This is the method of data collection. Furthermore, once your data has been collected, you should proceed further to analyse it.While , ethnographic, ground theory or phenomenological researches may slightly vary in terms of methods of data analysis, Generally, any qualitative data analysis would involve processes like coding, categorizing the themes and making sense of the essential meanings of the phenomenon. But what separates one from the other is the nature of the data which depends upon your objectives as to what the researcher is interested in. For instance, if you are interested in peoples lived experience of certain phenomenon, you may chose the narrative analysis.In this case,you might look into the aspects such as the characters or aspects of their inter-relationship, the social interactions between the different characters and groups and also the surroundings,the activities, the objects, the emotions, beliefs, attitudes, plans etc. Thus, in short your data analysis would very much depend upon the nature of the data that emerges throughout the process of data collection.
Best of luck!
If you are using a phenomenological framework, you might consider using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, rather than Thematic Analysis. This would allow you to maintain a consistent theoretical approach, while still using a method that (like Thematic Analysis) is based on coding.
In my opinion the most obvious strength of Thematic Analysis -- that you can use it in almost any circumstance -- can also be a weakness.
I second Tom's advice, follow the research cycle steps as Usman recommended, Know exactly what you want to measure, review what Tom and David suggested and go back to your advisor for a closure. Sometimes, one's choices are or are not accepted by the advisor!!
I recommend Tom's view. You have to first make clear what you want to achieve; the analysis will follow accordingly.
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