The DOI matches its Crossref record; 34 of the 34 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; 3 of the 25 sources its claims cite were checked for support.
Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing researcher
Open accessAbstract
This article discusses good practice in thematic analysis and common problems researchers should avoid when conducting and reporting thematic analysis.
Overview
AI snapshot
Written from the paper’s full text.
TL;DR
This commentary reviews 20 thematic analysis (TA) papers published in the *International Journal of Transgender Health* that cite the authors' own TA work, and distils guidance for producing methodologically coherent TA. It argues that good TA practice requires researchers to understand which approach within the TA "family" they are using, to align procedures with underlying research values, and to treat themes as meaning-based interpretive stories rather than topic summaries.
Key findings
- The reviewed papers mostly reported qualitative studies (the remainder mixed methods), typically using interviews, focus groups or qualitative surveys, and mostly took an experiential orientation focused on transgender people's lived experience, underpinned by realist or critical realist ontology; a minority used TA within a critical orientation.
- Three recurring problems are identified: unacknowledged diversity within TA (some papers referred to a "standardised TA"), confusion between themes-as-meaning-unified-interpretive-stories and themes-as-topic-summaries, and incomplete ownership of the researcher's perspective.
- Methodological "mash-ups" were common — e.g. combining reflexive TA with consensus coding, intercoder agreement, codebook development, or positivist notions of researcher bias alongside Big Q reflexivity — usually without justification.
- Two papers are singled out as good practice examples: Fraser et al. (2021), which reported two meaning-based themes ("proving gender" and "the trans narrative"), and Frohard-Dourlent et al. (2020), which reported three themes and seven sub-themes on surgical readiness assessments and gave a clear thematic structure table plus an account of the analytic process.
Methods
- Commentary based on the authors' critical review of 20 papers published in IJTH that cite their work, most commonly Braun and Clarke (2006), with most authors claiming to have "followed" their approach and a minority citing it while using other approaches.
- The authors situate TA as a family of methods, using a typology of coding reliability, codebook, reflexive TA and thematic coding, and drawing on the small q/Big Q qualitative distinction (Kidder & Fine, 1987; Finlay, 2021) to analyse coherence between procedures and research values.
- The commentary closes with ten recommendations for researchers and reviewers rather than presenting new empirical data.
Limitations
- The authors state they deliberately do not list the reviewed papers, to avoid "naming and shaming," and reference examples of poor practice only in general terms (Note 1).
- The authors note that they do identify by name two papers exemplifying good practice, so the review is illustrative rather than a systematic or exhaustive sample.
- Evident from the text: the review covers only 20 papers from a single journal, and the authors are commenting on use of their own approach, so the snapshot is field- and method-specific rather than generalisable.
Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.
Integrity signals
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Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
15 No full text of the sources · 12 Own interpretation · 7 Own result · 7 No basis given · 2 Sources not found · 2 Not checked yet · 1 Supported · 1 Supported so far · 1 Couldn’t confirm · accuracy not yet measured
The sources with a verdict support this claim; the rest weren’t checked yet, have no full text we could read, or their verdicts aren’t rated yet.
In the paper
“Codebook approaches to TA-such as framework (Gale et al., 2013) or template (King & Brooks, 2018) analysis-combine some of the more structured procedures of coding reliability TA 3 with some of the qualitative research values of reflexive TA.”
What the sources say
- Supportedcites Gale et al., 2013 source
Gale et al. describe the Framework Method as combining structured coding with flexibility and reflexive qualitative analysis. Stages 3–5 describe independent coding, an agreed set of codes, and systematic application of the framework; the Background calls for critical reflection and reflexive notes. The citation supports framework analysis as the example in the sentence. (LLM, conf=0.90)
- Not checked — no full text of the sourcecites King & Brooks, 2018 source
plaincorrelational- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
- Supported
A result the paper reports from its own data — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Most exemplified an experiential orientation to qualitative research, with a focus on the lived experience and perspectives of transgender folx (and some interest in the views of others, such of parents of transgender adolescents), or the factors that influence and contextualize certain behaviors and choices, underpinned by a realist or critical realist ontology.”
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
- Rests on an assumption: The 20 papers reviewed are a sufficient and valid basis for identifying common problems in TA research published in IJTH.
A result the paper reports from its own data — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“We were heartened that some researchers in the field of transgender health are also using TA to interrogate the social construction of meaning within a critical orientation to qualitative research”
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
- Rests on an assumption: The 20 papers reviewed are a sufficient and valid basis for identifying common problems in TA research published in IJTH.
A result the paper reports from its own data — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“There were several examples in the papers we reviewed of researchers using Big Q reflexive TA approach and procedures, with conceptually incoherent additions, such as small q consensus coding and measuring intercoder agreement, or adding a codebook development/recoding the data phase, or referencing both positivist notions of researcher bias and Big Q notions of reflexivity, or expressing concern”
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
- Rests on an assumption: The 20 papers reviewed are a sufficient and valid basis for identifying common problems in TA research published in IJTH.
In the paper
“However, reflexivity rarely extended beyond this more personal framing (Wilkinson, 1988).”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > (Not) owning one's perspective
What the sources say
- Not checked — no full text of the sourcecites Wilkinson, 1988 source
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
- Rests on an assumption: The 20 papers reviewed are a sufficient and valid basis for identifying common problems in TA research published in IJTH.
The paper states this without a source or data behind it here, so there is nothing to check it against. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“But these conceptualisations often don't map onto what happens in practice.”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > Telling meaning-united stories or summarizing topics?
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
- Rests on an assumption: The 20 papers reviewed are a sufficient and valid basis for identifying common problems in TA research published in IJTH.
In the paper
“Big Q researchers typically conceptualize mind-dependent truths, rather than a mind-independent truth (Tebes, 2005).”
What the sources say
- Not checked — no full text of the sourcecites Tebes, 2005 source
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“we don't think it fulfils all of the requirements of a methodology because it doesn't inherently provide researchers with a theoretically-informed framework for research.”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > Notes
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
In the paper
“Unlike methodologies such as grounded theory or discourse analysis, TA offers few directives around philosophical and theoretical positioning, appropriate research questions, data collection methods, or the size or constitution of the participant group/dataset (see Braun & Clarke, 2022a).”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > Notes
What the sources say
- Not checked — no full text of the sourcecites Braun & Clarke, 2022a source
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
In the paper
“whether saturation is a meaningful concept for reflexive TA (TL; DR no it isn't!; Braun & Clarke, 2021b)”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > Everything changes…
What the sources say
- Not matchedcites Braun & Clarke, 2021b
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
- Not matched
- Probably not a substantial claim. 33
- It may state two separate claims as one. 15
Every source the paper cites for this claim was checked and supports it.
In the paper
“Frohard-Dourlent et al. (2020) explored experiences of surgical readiness assessments in Canada and reported three themes and seven sub-themes”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > Telling meaning-united stories or summarizing topics?
What the sources say
- Supportedcites Frohard-Dourlent et al., 2020 source
The Abstract and Results report a thematic analysis of interviews about surgical readiness assessments in British Columbia, Canada, and identify three main themes. The Results organize the discussion under seven sub-themes: three concerning gatekeeping, two concerning barriers to care, and two concerning assessments as useful. (LLM, conf=0.90)
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: fails — The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Rests on an assumption: The 20 papers reviewed are a sufficient and valid basis for identifying common problems in TA research published in IJTH.
- Supported
The cited sources that could be checked couldn’t confirm or dispute this claim.
In the paper
“Researchers cannot coherently be both a descriptive scientist and an interpretative artist (Finlay, 2021).”
What the sources say
- Could not verifycites Finlay, 2021 sourceExperimental — accuracy not yet measured
The indexed copy’s Abstract says thematic analysis can be systematic or intuitive and lists both rigour and resonance as evaluation criteria. It does not address whether a researcher can coherently be both a descriptive scientist and an interpretative artist; searches for that phrase and for scientific–artistic incompatibility found no decisive passage. (LLM, conf=0.70)
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: fails — It may be too vague to check against evidence.
- Load-bearing: fails — The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Could not verify
A result the paper reports from its own data — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Most papers reported qualitative studies-with the rest mixed-method designs-typically based on interview, focus group or qualitative survey data.”
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: fails — The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
- Rests on an assumption: The 20 papers reviewed are a sufficient and valid basis for identifying common problems in TA research published in IJTH.
In the paper
“Frohard-Dourlent et al. also provide an example of a clear overview of the thematic structure (in the form of a table), and a brief but effective account of the authors' analytic process and engagement with reflexive TA, both important elements of a high-quality TA report (Braun & Clarke, 2022b).”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > Telling meaning-united stories or summarizing topics?
What the sources say
- Not checked — no full text of the sourcecites Braun & Clarke, 2022b source
boosted- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: fails — It may be too vague to check against evidence.
- Load-bearing: fails — The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
- Rests on an assumption: The 20 papers reviewed are a sufficient and valid basis for identifying common problems in TA research published in IJTH.
The paper states this without a source or data behind it here, so there is nothing to check it against. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“The papers we reviewed exemplified both good and bad practice with regard to researchers striving to own their perspective.”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > (Not) owning one's perspective
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim.
- Rests on an assumption: The 20 papers reviewed are a sufficient and valid basis for identifying common problems in TA research published in IJTH.
A result the paper reports from its own data — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Both problems-positivism creep, and the use of topic summary themes in reflexive TA-were evident in the papers we reviewed.”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > Telling meaning-united stories or summarizing topics?
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
- Rests on an assumption: The 20 papers reviewed are a sufficient and valid basis for identifying common problems in TA research published in IJTH.
A result the paper reports from its own data — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“All included some kind of statement of the researchers' personal positioning and/or professional experience with regard to gender identity, which is particularly important when researching socially minoritized groups and when researchers may be more socially powerful and privileged outsiders.”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > (Not) owning one's perspective
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: fails — The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Rests on an assumption: The 20 papers reviewed are a sufficient and valid basis for identifying common problems in TA research published in IJTH.
In the paper
“One paper justified the use of grounded theory coding techniques to do TA on the grounds that Braun and Clarke (2006) don't provide a plan for doing TA.”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > Notes
What the sources say
- Not checked — no full text of the sourcecites Braun & Clarke, 2006 source
plaindirectSingle case- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: fails — The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Rests on an assumption: The 20 papers reviewed are a sufficient and valid basis for identifying common problems in TA research published in IJTH.
A result the paper reports from its own data — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Two of the reviewed papers provided clear examples of themes as meaning-based interpretative stories.”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > Telling meaning-united stories or summarizing topics?
boosted- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: fails — The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Rests on an assumption: The 20 papers reviewed are a sufficient and valid basis for identifying common problems in TA research published in IJTH.
The paper states this without a source or data behind it here, so there is nothing to check it against. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Assessment were also conversely experienced as positive by some, with participants feeling supported by the assessor and prepared for the next steps.”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > Telling meaning-united stories or summarizing topics?
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: fails — The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
- Rests on an assumption: The 20 papers reviewed are a sufficient and valid basis for identifying common problems in TA research published in IJTH.
None of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“Similar to experiences reported by Fraser et al., participants often experienced the assessment process as aversive gatekeeping, with health professionals having the power to deny access to care, and compel conformity to an archetypal and outdated binary trans narrative.”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > Telling meaning-united stories or summarizing topics?
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: fails — The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
- Rests on an assumption: The 20 papers reviewed are a sufficient and valid basis for identifying common problems in TA research published in IJTH.
The paper states this without a source or data behind it here, so there is nothing to check it against. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“TA was occasionally described as a methodology in the papers reviewed”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > Notes
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: fails — The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Rests on an assumption: The 20 papers reviewed are a sufficient and valid basis for identifying common problems in TA research published in IJTH.
The paper states this without a source or data behind it here, so there is nothing to check it against. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Assessments were experienced as difficult to access because of opaqueness, bureaucracy and a lack of socio-economic privilege.”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > Telling meaning-united stories or summarizing topics?
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: fails — The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Rests on an assumption: The 20 papers reviewed are a sufficient and valid basis for identifying common problems in TA research published in IJTH.
In the paper
“Our approach, which we now call reflexive TA to acknowledge the plurality of TA and better distinguish it from other approaches (see Braun & Clarke, 2019), is an example of a Big Q or non-positivist qualitative approach”
What the sources say
- Not checked — no full text of the sourcecites Braun & Clarke, 2019 source
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim.
In the paper
“we have developed a typology of similar approaches, which we designate coding reliability, codebook and reflexive TA, and thematic coding”
What the sources say
- Not checked — no full text of the sourcecites Braun & Clarke, 2022b source
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim.
None of the sources cited for this claim could be matched to a paper in Crossref, so there is nothing to check it against.
In the paper
“it was more common before TA was widely recognized as a distinct method.”
What the sources say
- Not matchedcites Flick, 2018
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Not matchedcites Rivas, 2018
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
plaincorrelational- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Not matched
The paper states this without a source or data behind it here, so there is nothing to check it against. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Finally, thematic coding involves the use of grounding theory coding procedures to develop themes from data.”
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
In the paper
“Reflexive TA approaches embrace researcher subjectivity as a resource for research (rejecting positivist notions of researcher bias, see Varpio et al., 2021), view the practice of TA as inherently subjective, emphasize researcher reflexivity, and reject the notion that coding can ever be accurate-as it is an inherently interpretative practice, and meaning is not fixed within data.”
What the sources say
- Not checked — no full text of the sourcecites Varpio et al., 2021 source
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“Our thinking around TA has evolved since 2006, including now using the specific name reflexive TA (Braun & Clarke, 2019).”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > Everything changes…
What the sources say
- Not checked — no full text of the sourcecites Braun & Clarke, 2019 source
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: fails — The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
The paper states this without a source or data behind it here, so there is nothing to check it against. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Topic summaries as themes are common in coding reliability and some codebook TA, and thematic coding; themes in reflexive, and some codebook, TA are conceptualized as meaning-based, interpretative stories.”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > Telling meaning-united stories or summarizing topics?
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“The key to selecting methodologically coherent quality standards and tools is knowing practice-reasoning through the assumptions embedded in particular concepts and practices.”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > (Not) owning one's perspective
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: fails — It may be too vague to check against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“The practice requires depth of engagement, thinking creatively and reflexively about the data, an intensive and organic coding process designed to parse out different facets of data meaning, and to help the researcher move beyond the most obvious or superficial meanings in the data.”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > Telling meaning-united stories or summarizing topics?
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: fails — It may be too vague to check against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. It may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“We originally stated that reflexive TA could be underpinned by (simple) realism (Braun & Clarke, 2006), but we now think the Big Q research values of reflexive TA make a simple or naive realist reflexive TA a tricky proposition.”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > (Not) owning one's perspective
What the sources say
- Not checked — no full text of the sourcecites Braun & Clarke, 2006 source
hedgeddirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: fails — It may be too vague to check against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.
In the paper
“Tracy (2010) highlighted the concept of member reflections as a Big Q alternative to member checking, which is not about verification, or accessing truth or reality.”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > (Not) owning one's perspective
What the sources say
- Not checked — no full text of the sourcecites Tracy, 2010 source
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“By contrast, themes as interpretative stories built around uniting meaning cannot be developed in advance of analysis.”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > Telling meaning-united stories or summarizing topics?
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: fails — It may be too vague to check against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“The procedures we and other TA methodologists have developed are thought-through manifestations of underlying research values”
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: fails — It may be too vague to check against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“We say closer to because the procedures and conceptualisations of key concepts associated with different iterations of TA reflect particular underlying paradigmatic assumptions or research values.”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > Notes
plaincorrelational- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: fails — It may be too vague to check against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: fails — The paper may give no reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
None of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“Luckily, qualitative methodologists have already done a lot of the heavy lifting here (e.g., Braun & Clarke, 2021b;Smith & McGannon, 2018;Varpio et al., 2017Varpio et al., , 2021)), presenting thoughtful considerations of what's assumed and at stake in various supposedly universal criteria.”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > (Not) owning one's perspective
What the sources say
boosted- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: fails — The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Reflexive TA is premised on the researcher always shaping their research; it will always be infused with their subjectivity, and they are never a neutral conduit, simply conveying a directly-accessed truth of participants' experience.”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > (Not) owning one's perspective
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Simply put, topic summaries make no conceptual sense in reflexive TA, and the procedures have been designed to support the development of deep understanding and the telling of interpretative stories about meanings (sometimes obvious, sometimes subtle) that cut across a dataset and capture an important aspect of whatever you are trying to understand!”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > Telling meaning-united stories or summarizing topics?
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: fails — It may be too vague to check against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. It may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“This practice in theory controls for or corrects any subjective bias-misinterpretation, misemphasis-of the researcher (Smith & McGannon, 2018).”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > (Not) owning one's perspective
What the sources say
- Not checked — no full text of the sourcecites Smith & McGannon, 2018 source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Because TA is better understood as closer to a method than a methodology, and because of its theoretical flexibility, it's vital that researchers locate their use of TA theoretically”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > (Not) owning one's perspective
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: fails — It may be too vague to check against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.
In the paper
“Given that the purpose of our 2006 paper was precisely to do that, and it was the first place we outlined a clear six-phase approach to reflexive TA-and critiqued the use of grounded theory techniques to do TA”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > Notes
What the sources say
- Not checked — no full text of the sourcecites Braun & Clarke, 2006 source
boosted- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“However, the use of member checking is infused with assumptions about reality and knowledge production that sit (conceptually) uncomfortably with reflexive TA-including that there is a truth of participants' experiences that we can access if we can keep the potentially distorting effects of researcher influence in check (see Smith & McGannon, 2018).”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > (Not) owning one's perspective
What the sources say
- Not checked — no full text of the sourcecites Smith & McGannon, 2018 source
plaincorrelational- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“TA cannot be conducted in a theoretical vacuum-researchers inescapably bring in assumptions about the nature of reality, about what constitutes meaningful knowledge and knowledge production, and what their data represent or give them access to, even if these are not discussed.”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > (Not) owning one's perspective
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: fails — It may be too vague to check against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“They contain diversity, but they have a central idea that unifies the diversity”
§ Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing > Telling meaning-united stories or summarizing topics?
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: fails — It may be too vague to check against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. It may state two separate claims as one.
The paper relies on this without support.
The 20 papers reviewed are a sufficient and valid basis for identifying common problems in TA research published in IJTH.
“This commentary is based on a review of 20 papers published in IJTH citing our work”
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
The source backs part of the claim, not all of it — or backs it for a different population, condition or comparison.
In the citing paper
“Unthinking compliance with the RTARG will not necessarily improve reporting quality, because knowing practice is key.”
From Supporting best practice in reflexive thematic analysis reporting in Palliative Medicine : A review of published research and introduction to the Reflexive Thematic Analysis Reporting Guidelines (RTARG) (2024) · cites this paper as [7]
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe cited source says what the claim attributes to it.
In the citing paper
“Coding complex domains such as personal strength or relating to others involves a degree of researcher subjectivity, as these categories are not fixed entities but are instead co-constructed through the interaction between the participant’s narrative and the researcher’s interpretive lens [53].”
From The coexistence and trajectories of posttraumatic growth and depreciation: a 36-month longitudinal qualitative narrative analysis (2026) · cites this paper as [53]
In the citing paper
“We recognize that this composition concentrated our analytic gaze and that our shared identity as health professions education scholars predisposed us to read the data through a competency and curriculum lens. We treated these orientations as interpretive resources rather than biases to be eliminated [16], discussing them explicitly during analytic meetings to question candidate themes.”
From Role-Differentiated AI Competencies and Curriculum Implications for Health Professions Education: Qualitative Study (2026) · cites this paper as [16]
In the citing paper
“Sample size was determined through iterative monitoring of analytic stabilization—sometimes termed data saturation, though we use this term cautiously given the constructivist orientation of reflexive thematic analysis [16]—rather than a prespecified target.”
From Role-Differentiated AI Competencies and Curriculum Implications for Health Professions Education: Qualitative Study (2026) · cites this paper as [16]
Citations
Cites
Using thematic analysis in psychology
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006) · Qualitative Research in Psychology · doi:10.1191/1478088706qp063oa · Cited by 194,414
Self-citationReflecting on reflexive thematic analysis
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2019) · Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health · doi:10.1080/2159676x.2019.1628806 · Cited by 19,677
Self-citationGale, N. K., Heath, G., Cameron, E., Rashid, S., & Redwood, S. (2013) · BMC Medical Research Methodology · doi:10.1186/1471-2288-13-117 · Cited by 10,865
One size fits all? What counts as quality practice in (reflexive) thematic analysis?
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021) · Qualitative Research in Psychology · doi:10.1080/14780887.2020.1769238 · Cited by 9,727
Self-citationQualitative Quality: Eight “Big-Tent” Criteria for Excellent Qualitative Research
Tracy, S. J. (2010) · Qualitative Inquiry · doi:10.1177/1077800410383121 · Cited by 7,536
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2022) · Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-69909-7_3470-2 · Cited by 5,890
Self-citationThematic Analysis: A Practical Guide
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2022) · QMiP Bulletin · doi:10.53841/bpsqmip.2022.1.33.46 · Cited by 5,438
Self-citationBraun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021) · Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health · doi:10.1080/2159676x.2019.1704846 · Cited by 4,776
Self-citationConceptual and design thinking for thematic analysis.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2022) · Qualitative Psychology · doi:10.1037/qup0000196 · Cited by 4,502
Self-citationBraun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021) · Counselling and Psychotherapy Research · doi:10.1002/capr.12360 · Cited by 3,198
Self-citation
Research works printed but not linked: 2
- Finlay L., 2021, European Journal for Qualitative Research in Psychotherapy,, 11, 103
- Hayes N., 2000, Doing psychological research: Gathering and analyzing data
Cited by
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Hochman, Y. (2026) · The British Journal of Social Work · doi:10.1093/bjsw/bcag054 · Cited by 1
Hews‐Girard, J., Duffy, A., Cullen, E., Qiao, T., Furlani, N., Brill, K., Patten, S. B., King, N., Thannhauser, J. E., Szeto, A. C. H., et al. (2026) · Journal of American College Health · doi:10.1080/07448481.2026.2661245 · Cited by 1
“38,39 In this work, the interview guide served as a coding frame for deductive coding; themes that arose inductively were noted and included.”
Hall, L., Harris, L., & Morris, K. (2026) · The Howard Journal of Crime and Justice · doi:10.1111/hojo.70040 · Cited by 1
Navigating the healthcare system with a BRCA1/2 pathogenic variant: What do patients value?
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Negotiating academic identity in supervision meetings
Engel, M. B., & de Sánchez, C. S. H. (2026) · European Journal of Higher Education · doi:10.1080/21568235.2026.2669101 · Cited by 2
Logie, C. H., MacNeil, A., Hasham, A., Kagunda, J., Evelia, H., Gachoki, C., Omondi, B., Wanjiru, M., Borek, S. V., Gittings, L., et al. (2026) · Sexual Health · doi:10.1071/sh25161 · Cited by 1
Gerber, M., & Fischer, J. (2026) · BMC Medical Ethics · doi:10.1186/s12910-026-01482-8 · Cited by 1
“Using thematic analysis [32], we were able to focus on capturing underlying value disputes as the core ideas driving politicians’ statements in order to explain the unique dynamic of the German debate: as the discussion was pre-centred on autonomy, in accordance with the Federal Constitutional…”
Stark, H. L., & Page, J. (2026) · Implementation Science Communications · doi:10.1186/s43058-026-00959-2 · Cited by 1
“Thematic analysis followed Braun and Clarke’s six-phase approach [38], supported by NVivo 15.”
The weight of society: a qualitative study on how social norms shape body size and weight ideals
Contreras, M. A. S., Salas, X. R., Bento, S. F., de Pádua, K. S., & Osis, M. J. M. D. (2026) · The Lancet Regional Health - Americas · doi:10.1016/j.lana.2026.101491 · Cited by 1
“37,38 Data were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (re-flexive TA), 39–41 emphasising meaning construction through reflexive engagement and narrative coherence.”
Signalling and constructing innovation capability through digital recruitment communication
Ashraf, R., Albeshr, M., Badreddine, S., Ammari, H. A., Khan, M. M. S., & Khan, Y. (2026) · Journal of Open Innovation Technology Market and Complexity · doi:10.1016/j.joitmc.2026.100793 · Cited by 2
Sahlin, H., Gustafsson, U., Eklund, J. H., & Salomonsson, S. (2026) · Counselling and Psychotherapy Research · doi:10.1002/capr.70149 · Cited by 1
Mobilization of Sexual Violence within the Manosphere: A Mixed Methods Systematic Review
PettyJohn, M. E., Nason, J. A., Cary, K. M., & Graves, C. (2026) · The Journal of Sex Research · doi:10.1080/00224499.2026.2670470 · Cited by 2
Tao, Y., Du, Y., Pan, W., Latour, J. M., Liu, X., Tang, Y., Chen, X., & Zhang, Y. (2026) · Intensive and Critical Care Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.iccn.2026.104446 · Cited by 1
Breastfeeding Experiences of Aboriginal Women With Child Protection Involvement: A Qualitative Study
Peek, A. L., Hamilton, S. L., Jojo, D. N., et al. (2026) · Maternal and Child Nutrition · doi:10.1111/mcn.70200 · Cited by 1
Unlocking Leadership Competencies Among Heads of Schools in Tanzania Rural Settings
Kimune, E. O., Kahangwa, G., & Ngalomba, S. P. (2026) · Leadership and Policy in Schools · doi:10.1080/15700763.2026.2671948 · Cited by 1
Hartmann, T., & van Mastrigt, S. (2026) · Scandinavian Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1111/sjop.70108 · Cited by 1
Aluko, K., Burgess, J., & Akomea-Frimpong, I. (2026) · International Journal of Public Sector Management · doi:10.1108/ijpsm-10-2025-0469 · Cited by 1
Ndlovu, Z., Tomas, T. C., Tauro, M. J., da Silva, M., Piquete, L., Barrios, M., Catacutan-Joyce, C., Assane, M. I., Manusso, P. D., Baciquetane, L., et al. (2026) · AIDS Care · doi:10.1080/09540121.2026.2669031 · Cited by 1
Caughter, S., Jeffery, M., & Millard, S. K. (2026) · Journal of Fluency Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jfludis.2026.106225 · Cited by 1
Moraru, M., Chisari, L. B., Bakker, A., Smit, J., & Blom, E. (2026) · Linguistics and Education · doi:10.1016/j.linged.2026.101561 · Cited by 1
Tyler, J. M., & Lundeen, L. A. (2026) · Journal of Counseling & Development · doi:10.1002/jcad.70042 · Cited by 1
Bussu, A., & Karp, D. R. (2026) · Journal of Criminal Justice Education · doi:10.1080/10511253.2026.2677152 · Cited by 2
Hobbs, R. J., Baldwin, H. T., Chiaramonte, D. M., Yoon, S., Phillips, K., Clark, K. A., Dougherty, L. R., & Pachankis, J. E. (2026) · LGBTQ+ Family An Interdisciplinary Journal · doi:10.1080/27703371.2026.2682463 · Cited by 1
Almashour, M., Aldamen, H. A. K., & Jarrah, M. A. (2026) · Current Issues in Language Planning · doi:10.1080/14664208.2026.2685636 · Cited by 2
Stankowski, A., Varab, D., Clarke, M., Gschwendtner, P., & Avramidis, E. (2026) · Designing Interactive Systems Conference · doi:10.1145/3800645.3813061 · Cited by 2
Kapinga, A. G., & Lenga, B. F. (2026) · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · doi:10.1002/uar2.70057 · Cited by 1
Factors Influencing Caregivers’ Intention to Use Transfer-care Robots
Kang, K.-J., Song, Y. A., Park, J. Y., et al. (2026) · CIN Computers Informatics Nursing · doi:10.1097/cin.0000000000001579 · Cited by 1
Zhang, B., & Qin, J. (2026) · Sport Education and Society · doi:10.1080/13573322.2026.2691220 · Cited by 1
Longhurst, P., Burnette, C. B., Cascio, M. A., Maloney, E., & Tylka, T. L. (2026) · Body Image · doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2026.102140 · Cited by 1
Grummitt, L. R., Rowlinson, K., Rockett, B., Birrell, L., Daher, R., Mackenzie, N., Newton, N. C., & Barrett, E. L. (2026) · Frontiers in Health Services · doi:10.3389/frhs.2026.1818783 · Cited by 1
“This includes: (1) familiarisation with the data, (2) generating initial codes, (3) searching for themes, (4) reviewing themes, (5) defining and naming themes, and (6) producing the report (46).”
Ngangue, P., Massom, D. M., Yopa, D. S., Fendoung, P. M., Delon, J. C. D., Tameh, T. Y., & Dissak‐Delon, F. N. (2026) · Discover Mental Health · doi:10.1007/s44192-026-00516-2 · Cited by 1
“…meaningful features of the data, (3) searching for patterns and potential themes across transcripts, (4) reviewing themes to ensure internal coherence and distinction, (5) defining and naming themes, and (6) producing an interpretive narrative linking themes to the theoretical framework [23, 24].”
Ghimire, A. (2026) · Qualitative Health Research · doi:10.1177/10497323261458992 · Cited by 2
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“This is a well-known qualitative approach (31).”
Johnson, D., Umaru, N., & Gallagher, C. T. (2026) · Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy · doi:10.1016/j.rcsop.2026.100818 · Cited by 1
Daguman, E. I., Owen, D., Yoxall, J., Lakeman, R., & Hutchinson, M. (2026) · International Journal of Mental Health Nursing · doi:10.1111/inm.70300 · Cited by 2
Non-Recovery Stories: Relational and Structural Constraints on Recovery
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Cristofaro, M., Giardino, P. L., & Teece, D. J. (2026) · Journal of Management History · doi:10.1108/jmh-04-2026-0086 · Cited by 2
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Moylan, K., & Doherty, K. (2026) · Behaviour and Information Technology · doi:10.1080/0144929x.2026.2705885 · Cited by 1
“Qualitative data were subjected to reflexive thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke (Braun and Clarke 2023) with the involvement of both authors (Braun and Clarke 2019).”
Baumgartner, L., & Srinivasan, M. (2026) · Journal of Dentistry · doi:10.1016/j.jdent.2026.106946 · Cited by 1
Boffi, L. C., & dos Santos, M. A. (2026) · Sexuality Gender & Policy · doi:10.1002/sgp2.70068 · Cited by 1
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Okeke, D. E., & Ibiwoye, C. (2026) · Feminist Theory · doi:10.1177/14647001261470191 · Cited by 2
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Reclaiming the Educational Voice
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Nowotny, K. M., Ciraldo, K. J., James, K., Culbertson, K., Estes, D., Sansbury, G. M., Chueng, T. A., Suarez, E., Tookes, H., Bartholomew, T. S., et al. (2026) · Substance Use & Addiction Journal · doi:10.1177/29767342261475089 · Cited by 1
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Blanc, S., Heistrüvers, L., Savinelli, S., Bernard, M., Borasio, G. D., Jox, R. J., Larkin, P. J., Sterie, A., & Gamondi, C. (2026) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj-2026-100610 · Cited by 1
Swinger, N., Ryu, M., Baseman, C. M., Xu, K., Sherrill, A. M., & Arriaga, R. I. (2026) · Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction · doi:10.1145/3816986 · Cited by 1
Rojas, K. A., Bracewell, R. M., Martínez, J. A. C., et al. (2023) · British Journal of Occupational Therapy · doi:10.1177/03080226231178396 · Cited by 1
Collins, B., McGrath, N. A., & Maguire, S. (2023) · Tizard Learning Disability Review · doi:10.1108/tldr-11-2022-0024 · Cited by 1
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“While the process of creating a codebook aligns more with “codebook” thematic analysis than a purely “reflexive” thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2023), using the procedure allowed for the team to clearly communicate about their interpretations.”
Douglas, R. M. (2023) · Environmental Humanities · doi:10.1215/22011919-10745990 · Cited by 1
Buen Vivir y la Economía Social y Solidaria en la Región Andina de Ecuador
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van Rijn, L., Metz, M. J., van der Velden, P. R., Mathijsen, P., Swildens, W. E., Schellekens, A., Cahn, W., Milota, M., & Zinkstok, J. (2024) · Health Expectations · doi:10.1111/hex.13983 · Cited by 1
Eslit, E. R., Lector, M. A., & Enad, J. A. (2024) · International Journal of Social Science and Human Research · doi:10.47191/ijsshr/v7-i02-31 · Cited by 6
“Many engaged in continuous professional development, sought peer collaboration, and utilized online resources, such as language learning applications and digital libraries (T-Part 2, 18, 13, and 15).”
BackgroundMethodDitwiler, R. E., Hardwick, D., & Swisher, L. L. (2024) · Physiotherapy Theory and Practice · doi:10.1080/09593985.2024.2321216 · Cited by 1
Systemic Silencing Mechanisms in Autism/Autistic Advocacy in Ontario, Canada
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“The initial themes were re‐examined closely with continued theme development so that the themes were not descriptions but “meaning‐united stories” (Braun & Clarke, 2023).”
BackgroundInfluentialBates, C., & Matthews, R. J. (2024) · Advances in Autism · doi:10.1108/aia-05-2023-0027 · Cited by 1
Kim, J., Lindley, J., Zhou, X., Lee, H., & Lee, R. (2024) · Adoption Quarterly · doi:10.1080/10926755.2024.2345051 · Cited by 1
“Thematic analysis as an approach outlined by Braun and Clarke (Braun et al., 2022; Braun & Clarke, 2006, 2023) is a systematic process of analyzing data.”
The paramedic experience of return to clinical practice: A reflexive thematic analysis
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“Now We Can Speak”: Wheelchair Sport Participation in Areas of Armed Conflict
Kirk, T. N., McKay, C., & Holland, K. (2024) · Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly · doi:10.1123/apaq.2023-0144 · Cited by 1
Dargahi, S., Horne, J., & Smith, S. (2024) · International Journal for Students as Partners · doi:10.15173/ijsap.v8i1.5385 · Cited by 1
“As outlined by Braun and Clarke (2023), codebook approaches “combine some of the more structured procedures of coding reliability with some of the qualitative research values of reflexive TA” (p. 2).”
BackgroundOreg, A., & Shlomo, S. B. (2024) · Qualitative Health Research · doi:10.1177/10497323241238919 · Cited by 1
“It is essential to acknowledge one ’ s own background and perspective within a given social context (Braun & Clarke, 2023).”
Eating preferences and behaviors of older immigrants in Oslo: A qualitative study
Maxson, S. L., Grini, I. S., Ueland, Ø., & Terragni, L. (2024) · Appetite · doi:10.1016/j.appet.2024.107531 · Cited by 2
Vincent, D., Moore, H., Miller, J. L., & Grassau, P. A. (2024) · Journal of Palliative Medicine · doi:10.1089/jpm.2023.0469 · Cited by 1
Otchere, F. A. (2024) · International Journal of Strategic Communication · doi:10.1080/1553118x.2024.2359554 · Cited by 1
“Then, for each theme, I conducted a detailed analysis of the story it told and how it fits into the broader narrative of my research questions and theoretical framework (Braun & Clarke, 2023; Byrne, 2021).”
Burnout and compassion fatigue in coaches: A case for coach-care
Rosefield, M. (2024) · The Coaching Psychologist · doi:10.53841/bpstcp.2024.20.1.28 · Cited by 1
Paton, J., Carrington, A., Gentle, E., & Horsefall, D. (2024) · Australian Journal of Rural Health · doi:10.1111/ajr.13150 · Cited by 1
Experience of Nursing Student during Geriatric Nursing Practice: A Narrative Qualitative Study
Saputri, A., & Lumbantoruan, S. M. (2024) · Jurnal Keperawatan Komprehensif · doi:10.33755/jkk.v10i3.718 · Cited by 1
Examining STEMM Mentorship within Student Organizations in Higher Education through a Critical Lens
Fernandez, K., Chisholm, K., & Ruzycki, N. (2024) · ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition · doi:10.18260/1-2--47372 · Cited by 1
Green Entrepreneurship Education in Zimbabwe
Mabhanda, W., Mabwe, N., & Mashiri, B. (2024) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-61321-0_6 · Cited by 1
Flemming, X., Bester, P., Kruger, I. M., et al. (2024) · Social and Health Sciences · doi:10.25159/2957-3645/15857 · Cited by 1
Browne, S., Schofield, P., & Ryan, C. G. (2024) · Physiotherapy Theory and Practice · doi:10.1080/09593985.2024.2396553 · Cited by 1
“For transparency, our study is a “mash-up” (Braun and Clarke, 2023) of reflexive and codebook TA, as a second reviewer (PS) triangulated the data after the initial analysis by SB.”
Kong, L., Li, S., Li, Z., Mi, X., Li, J., & Zhang, N. (2024) · MethodsX · doi:10.1016/j.mex.2024.102988 · Cited by 1
“Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis [ 1 ].”
MethodConcussion management and concussion recovery in Gaelic games: a qualitative analysis
Daly, E., & Ryan, L. (2024) · Frontiers in Sports and Active Living · doi:10.3389/fspor.2024.1470358 · Cited by 1
Keeble, M., Chang, M., Derbyshire, D. W., et al. (2024) · International Journal of Health Policy and Management · doi:10.34172/ijhpm.8294 · Cited by 1
“MK shared a theme and code map (See Supplementary file 1: Table S1), example data, and interpretations with MC, DD, and MW.”
MethodSmoyer, A. B. (2024) · JMIR Research Protocols · doi:10.2196/58285 · Cited by 1
“Student RAs who can reach the “depth of engagement” [66] that is required to conceptualize the data in this nonpositivist manner may also contribute reflective analysis of the data.”
Bhundhoo, S., Coolen, P. V., & Fraser, R. S. (2024) · Communications in computer and information science · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-71412-2_4 · Cited by 1
Young Children’s Mental Well-Being in Low-Income South African Settings: A Qualitative Study
Draper, C. E., Cook, C. J., Ankrah, E. A., Beltran, J. A., Cibrian, F. L., Johnson, J., Lakes, K. D., Mofid, H., Williams, L., & Hayes, G. R. (2024) · Journal of Child and Family Studies · doi:10.1007/s10826-024-02929-5 · Cited by 4
La fin du placement et la place accordée aux expériences traumatiques en Centre jeunesse
Kargakos, S., & Saïas, T. (2023) · Travail social. · doi:10.7202/1113800ar · Cited by 1
How the online presence of mothers changed over time during the COVID pandemic: A longitudinal study
Lendvai, L., Hevesi, J., Végh, J., Dúll, A., & Luu, L. A. N. (2024) · Women s Studies International Forum · doi:10.1016/j.wsif.2024.103013 · Cited by 4
Savaria, V., Queenton, J., & Carrier, A. (2024) · JMIR Research Protocols · doi:10.2196/58271 · Cited by 1
“Themes and subthemes will be organized in a chart to think creatively and reflexively the data and facilitate communication with steering committee members [56,65].”
InfluentialFasching, B., Mildner, S., Fink, F., Wanitschek, A., Hotz, I., Langweil, N., Monschein, T., Berger, T., Brenneis, C., Leutmezer, F., et al. (2024) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2024-091168 · Cited by 2
Chinese tourists’ aesthetic gaze upon urban heritage
Wan, Y. K. P., & Li, J. (2024) · Tourism Recreation Research · doi:10.1080/02508281.2024.2435295 · Cited by 1
“The study used the thematic analysis for the data analysis, which allows researchers to code and classify data (Braun & Clarke, 2023).”
InfluentialDisclosure Dances in Doctoral Education
Brown, N. (2024) · Social Sciences · doi:10.3390/socsci13120689 · Cited by 3
Barnhart, M. K., Fong, E., Botes, L. P., Mulder, S., Angell, B. J., Jan, S., Tang, M., & Chua, B. H. (2024) · Academia oncology. · doi:10.20935/acadonco7465 · Cited by 1
Farran, D., Cheang, H. W., Onwumere, J., et al. (2025) · JMIR Cardio · doi:10.2196/66428 · Cited by 1
“Thematic analysis was conducted following Braun and Clarke’s framework, incorporating updated guidance from their 2023 work on good practices in thematic analysis [20].”
Kanyopa, T. J., & Mokhele-Makgalwa, M. L. (2025) · International Journal of Religion · doi:10.61707/9x8hn336 · Cited by 1
Witney, T., Rait, G., Saunders, J. M., et al. (2025) · Sexually Transmitted Infections · doi:10.1136/sextrans-2024-056231 · Cited by 1
Khumalo, G., Makhakhe, N. F., & Lipholo, B. N. (2024) · E-Journal of Humanities Arts and Social Sciences · doi:10.38159/ehass.202451653 · Cited by 1
Health education and technological innovation: an unpostponable relationship
Castillo, V. S., & Cano, C. A. G. (2024) · Health Leadership and Quality of Life · doi:10.56294/hl2024.436 · Cited by 1
Montesanti, S. R., Fitzpatrick, K., Verstraeten, B. S. E., Tourangeau, B., Albert, L., & Oster, R. T. (2025) · Global Public Health · doi:10.1080/17441692.2025.2457109 · Cited by 6
Co-worker dynamics among Canadian sex workers in a stigmatised and criminalised environment
Benoit, C., Smith, M., Jansson, M., et al. (2025) · Culture Health & Sexuality · doi:10.1080/13691058.2025.2458094 · Cited by 1
“In this paper, we report on a thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke 2022, 2023) of responses to one of the open-ended questions asked: ‘Do you ever have disagreements with other sex workers, or do you find that there are some sex workers who you just don’t get along with?’”
Parenting and substance use problems in Sweden: Hiding, Disappearing and Compensating
Gunnarsson, M., Samuelsson, E., & Törrönen, J. (2025) · Addiction Research & Theory · doi:10.1080/16066359.2025.2459658 · Cited by 2
Clements, F. (2025) · Place Branding and Public Diplomacy · doi:10.1057/s41254-025-00392-7 · Cited by 2
“Coding, theme conceptualisation and further analysis in the light of theory were conducted by one researcher and as such they are product of researcher’s sense making (Weick et al. 2005; Braun and Clarke 2023), thus, producing a value laden study.”
Metadata
- Authors
- Braun, V., & Clarke, V.
- Affiliations
- University of Auckland (NZ)
- University of the West of England (GB)
- Venue
- International Journal of Transgender Health
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2022-10-25
- Volume
- 24
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 1-6
- ISSN
- 2689-5269 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC9879167
- OpenAlex
- W4307217168
- Semantic Scholar
- e28e41b67cfbb817d70b90cfab5436d012bb58ea
- Cited by
- 2,878
- References
- 32
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1230 · 2025: 1016 · 2024: 486 · 2023: 123 · 2022: 8
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- International Journal of Transgender Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Public Administration › Evaluation and Performance Assessment
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Language and Linguistics › Language, Discourse, Communication Strategies
- Keywords
- thematic analysis, best practices, qualitative research methodology, mixed methods, research quality
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