Cited by 634Qualitative Research Methods and ApplicationsEducational Research and MethodsEducational Research and Analysis

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 36 of the 37 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Applying Thematic Analysis to Education: A Hybrid Approach to Interpreting Data in Practitioner Research

Open access

Xu, Wen, Zammit, Katina·2020·International Journal of Qualitative Methods

DOI 10.1177/1609406920918810

Open this paper in CoChat — free account

Abstract

Thematic analysis (TA), as a qualitative analytic method, is widely used in health care, psychology, and beyond. However, scant details are often given to demonstrate the process of data analysis, especially in the field of education. This article describes how a hybrid approach of TA was applied to interpret multiple data sources in a practitioner inquiry. Particular attention is given to the inductive and deductive coding and theme development process of TA. Underpinned by the constructivist epistemology, codes were driven by both data per se and theories, through a “bottom-up” and “top-down” approach to identify themes. A detailed example of six steps of data analysis is presented, which evidences the systematic analysis of raw data from observation and research journals, students’ focus groups, and a classroom teacher’s semistructured interviews. This example demonstrates how classroom practice was unpacked and how insiders’ insights were interpreted through the theoretical lens while also allowing the participants to express themselves. By providing step-by-step guidelines in data coding and identification of themes, this article contributes to informing qualitative researchers, especially teacher-researchers who undertake their research in the classroom setting.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1177/1609406920918810

Cites

36 of 36 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Recomputing p-values needs the paper’s full text.

Claims the paper makes

We couldn’t retrieve this paper’s full text, so its claims and self-check weren’t run. The registry and citation checks still apply.

Using thematic analysis in psychology
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006) · Qualitative Research in Psychology · doi:10.1191/1478088706qp063oa · Cited by 194,414
Naturalistic inquiry
Lincoln, Y. S., Guba, E. G., & Pilotta, J. J. (1985) · International Journal of Intercultural Relations · doi:10.1016/0147-1767(85)90062-8 · Cited by 45,787
How Many Interviews Are Enough?: An Experiment with Data Saturation and Variability
Guest, G., Bunce, A., & Johnson, L. (2006) · Field Methods · doi:10.1177/1525822x05279903 · Cited by 20,808 · cited 3×
“Based upon a set of codes, definitions, examples, and “when to use” and “when not to used” sections, a codebook can be developed as a guide to help analyze data (Guest et al., 2006).”
BackgroundInfluential
Reflecting 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 · cited 5×
“In “Using Thematic Analysis in Psychology,” Braun and Clarke (2006) delineate a straightforward, step-bystep approach to conducting TA and now is referred to as reflexive TA (Braun & Clarke, 2019).”
BackgroundMethodInfluential
Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches
Sloane-Seale, A. (2009) · Canadian Journal of University Continuing Education · doi:10.21225/d54s3d · Cited by 14,328
Untitled work
S., N. L. (2017) · doi:10.1177/1609406917733847 · Cited by 14,051 · cited 1×
“…made to detail a step-by-step guide to apply TA to practice in psychology, nursing, and sport and exercise research (Braun & Clarke, 2006; Braun et al., 2019; Braun et al., 2017; Clarke & Braun, 2014; Fereday & Muir-Cochrane, 2006; Nowell et al., 2017), there is a paucity of description…”
Method
Untitled work
(1998) · Cited by 13,501
Demonstrating rigor using thematic analysis: a hybrid approach of inductive and deductive coding and theme development
Fereday, J., & Muir-Cochrane, E. (2006) · International Journal of Qualitative Methods · doi:10.1177/160940690600500107 · Cited by 11,829 · cited 4×
“In addition to detailing the steps of conducting TA as other practical examples have undertaken (Braun & Clarke, 2006; Fereday & Muir-Cochrane, 2006; Nowell et al., 2017), this article has its strength in outlining multiple data collection tools and their associated analytical processes.”
BackgroundMethodInfluential
Untitled work
(2017) · Cited by 9,643
Content analysis and thematic analysis: Implications for conducting a qualitative descriptive study
Vaismoradi, M., Turunen, H., & Bondas, T. (2013) · Nursing & Health Sciences · doi:10.1111/nhs.12048 · Cited by 8,327 · cited 5×
“It seems confusing for researchers to distinguish and choose between TA and content analysis, considering many similarities between the approaches and the least thoughtful discussion in the literature (Vaismoradi et al., 2013).”
BackgroundInfluential

Show all 37 references

Research works printed but not linked: 4

Fair Go Team, 2006, School is for me: Pathways to student engagement
New South Wales Department of Education and Training, 2003, Quality teaching in NSW public schools
Roberts K., 2019, BMC Medical Research Methodology, 19, 1
Saldana J., 2016, The coding manual for qualitative researchers

Sorted by citations

Items 201–300 of 630

Perceived importance of emotional intelligence for clinical pharmacy practice and suggested improvements: a focus group study of postgraduate pharmacists
Senćanski, D., Tadić, I., Jocić, D., & Marinkovic, V. D. (2024) · International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy · doi:10.1007/s11096-024-01748-4 · Cited by 6
“Categories for the themes and subthemes were deductively constructed from the semi-structured guide questions [38, 39].”
A Qualitative Study of the Knowledge of Metabolic Syndrome, Attitudes about Lifestyle Modifications, and Preferences for Lifestyle Interventions among Patients with Cancer and Metabolic Syndrome
Leal, I. M., Pillai, A. B., Foreman, J. T., Siu, K. W., Heredia, N. I., Escalante, C. P., Manzullo, E. F., Christie, A. J., Lacourt, T. E., Razouki, Z. A., et al. (2024) · Cancers · doi:10.3390/cancers16183147 · Cited by 6
“The integration of inductive and deductive methods yielded a more balanced and comprehensive understanding of the data [57].”
Method
Co‐Designing a Digital Stroke Prevention Platform: Leveraging Lived Experience and Expert Advice
Purvis, T. L., Burns, C., Barker, S., Kilkenny, M. F., Gall, S., Farmer, C., Sudhakar, V., Cadilhac, D. A.-M., Booth, B. E., Bray, J., et al. (2025) · Health Expectations · doi:10.1111/hex.70293 · Cited by 7
“A combination of both inductive and deductive approaches to coding was undertaken [26].”
Shark bite survivors advocate for non-lethal shark mitigation measures in Australia
Rościszewski-Dodgson, M. J., & Cirella, G. T. (2021) · AIMS environmental science · doi:10.3934/environsci.2021036 · Cited by 5
Bildung und Schule im Spannungsfeld pandemiebedingter Herausforderungen: Eine thematische Analyse von Akteur-Struktur-Dynamiken
Herzog, C., Beil, A. I., & Kelly, P. (2022) · Zeitschrift für Erziehungswissenschaft · doi:10.1007/s11618-022-01100-4 · Cited by 5
English as a world opener in Chinese universities: fostering interculturally aware communities of learners in the English reading classroom
Xu, W. J., & Knijnik, J. (2023) · Pedagogy Culture and Society · doi:10.1080/14681366.2023.2174171 · Cited by 8
“In analysing the transcripts of 16 lessons and two students’ focus groups, thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke 2006) was employed to facilitate evidence to answer the two research questions (Xu and Zammit 2020).”
Self-citation
Pop-Up Book Media Assisted By QR Code For Second-Grade Elementary School Students
Widarini, N. K. L., Margunayasa, I. G., & Rati, N. W. (2022) · Journal for Lesson and Learning Studies · doi:10.23887/jlls.v5i3.47223 · Cited by 5
Human Touch Experience: A Strategy for Reducing Consumer Switching Behavior in The Financial Service Industry
Fitriyanto, A. D., & Mulyono, M. (2023) · Australasian Accounting Business and Finance Journal · doi:10.14453/aabfj.v17i5.03 · Cited by 6
Nexus of economic teaching in religious education: a case study of Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia
Bashith, A., Mkumbachi, R. L., Yunus, M., Amin, S., Sulistiani, D., & Amrullah, A. M. K. (2025) · Cogent Education · doi:10.1080/2331186x.2025.2486633 · Cited by 18
“We used thematic-integrated data analysis to find patterns from a data set reduced with constructive epistemology obtained from observational data, documents and interviews (Xu and Zammit 2020).”
Categorising student behaviours as manifest indicators of learning engagement: a contextual approach
Lomholt, R., & Qvortrup, A. (2025) · European Journal of Psychology of Education · doi:10.1007/s10212-025-01034-5 · Cited by 5
“We grouped the data into more general themes (Xu & Zammit, 2020).”
Linking digital, visual, and civic literacy in an era of mis/disinformation: Canadian teachers reflect on using the Questioning Images tool
Pavlounis, D., Pashby, K., & Morales, F. S. (2023) · Education Inquiry · doi:10.1080/20004508.2023.2292828 · Cited by 4
“Drawing from some key principles established by Braun and Clarke (2006) and reinforced as useful for education research (Xu & Zammit, 2020), we identified repeated meanings across the transcripts as part of a process of describing and interpreting.”
Navigating school belonging in Qatari schools: A mixed‐methods study of student perspectives
Allen, K., McCarthy, S., Sawalhi, R., Berger, E., May, F., Patlamazoglou, L., Gamble, N., Grové, C., Wurf, G., Arango, E. J., et al. (2024) · European Journal of Education · doi:10.1111/ejed.12704 · Cited by 4
Early Identification of Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Difficulties in Primary Schools: Explanations for Special Educational Needs Coordinators’ Different Practices
der Maten, M. L. J.-V., & Rommes, E. W. M. (2024) · School Mental Health · doi:10.1007/s12310-024-09690-6 · Cited by 8
“4.0., following a thematic coding process in successive stages (Braun & Clarke, 2006; Xu & Zammit, 2020), in which both authors were involved.”
Influential
Prevalence, correlates and solutions to people with HIV in China being refused treatment for diseases not related to HIV: a mixed‐methods study
Hu, Y., Zhou, X., Fan, X., et al. (2025) · Journal of the International AIDS Society · doi:10.1002/jia2.26443 · Cited by 4
Building resilience, emotional regulation, kindness, and critical thinking in the digital age: An evaluation of the Superpowers Program on Philippine kindergarteners
Luo, R., Sun, S. Z., Carter, E., & Hopfenbeck, T. N. (2025) · International Journal of Educational Research Open · doi:10.1016/j.ijedro.2025.100479 · Cited by 8
Drip Too Hard? Commercial Rap Music and Perceived Masculinity Ideals and Actual Self-Evaluations among Black U.S. and Dutch Adolescent Men
Dankoor, K., Stephens, D. P., & Bogt, T. T. T. (2022) · Sexuality & Culture · doi:10.1007/s12119-022-10003-9 · Cited by 3
“A rigorous hybrid comparative thematic analysis approach (Braun & Clarke, 2021; Xu & Zammit, 2020), which involved deductive and inductive coding, was utilized to analyze the interview transcripts.”
Method
Fitbits for Monitoring Depressive Symptoms in Older Aged Persons: Qualitative Feasibility Study
Mughal, F., Raffe, W. L., Stubbs, P. W., Kneebone, I., & Garcia, J. A. (2022) · JMIR Formative Research · doi:10.2196/33952 · Cited by 5
LoCoMoTe – A Framework for Classification of Natural Locomotion in VR by Task, Technique and Modality
Croucher, C., Powell, W. A., Stevens, B., Dicks, M., Powell, V., Wiltshire, T. J., & Spronck, P. H. M. (2023) · IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics · doi:10.1109/tvcg.2023.3313439 · Cited by 5
“We considered saturation was met when additional data did not impact any theme [66] regarding the consistency of each theme category during analysis [67].”
Method
“They really trust us!”: medical interpreter’s roles and experiences in an integrated primary care clinic
Plys, E., Giraldo‐Santiago, N., Ehmann, M., Brewer, J. R., Presciutti, A., Rush, C. L., McDermott, K. A., Greenberg, J., Ritchie, C. S., & Vranceanu, A. (2024) · Social Work in Mental Health · doi:10.1080/15332985.2024.2379455 · Cited by 4
“This hybrid approach allowed the team to analyze data in a manner consistent with the research aims and theoretical background, while also identifying patterns that emerged from the transcript (Xu & Zammit, 2020).”
Influential
Navigating post-ICU care: understanding family members’ experiences - a qualitative study
Danielis, M., Garau, A., Molaro, D., Gentilini, S., Rosset, M., Giorgino, S., Vuerich, F., Zanotti, R., & Entilli, L. (2024) · Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1080/21642850.2024.2415394 · Cited by 4
“The analysis adhered to Braun and Clarke’s (2013) thematic analysis (TA) methodology (Braun & Clarke, 2013), with a hybrid approach to TA, where initial codes were driven by both data per se and theories (Xu & Zammit, 2020).”
Method
Driving Innovation to Support Pupils with SEND Through Co-Production in Education and Research: Participatory Action Research with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome Families in England
Jayman, M., Edmonds, S., & Gudbrandsen, M. (2024) · Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.3390/bs15010022 · Cited by 4
International online visits on developing the global mindset of accounting and finance students in Mexico
Gil, M. (2025) · Accounting Education · doi:10.1080/09639284.2025.2455734 · Cited by 4
“The transcripts of the interviews were analysed using thematic analysis (Xu & Zammit, 2020).”
Navigating timeliness: Decoupling in corporate external reporting by Indonesian state-owned enterprises (SOEs)
Widhiyani, N. L. S., Setiawan, P. E., Krisnadewi, K. A., et al. (2025) · Public Money & Management · doi:10.1080/09540962.2025.2462784 · Cited by 4
“This method played a critical role in uncovering meaningful results and gaining insights into various aspects of the interviewees’ experiences and viewpoints (Xu & Zammit, 2020).”
The Intergenerational Health Effects of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program on Families With Mixed Immigration Status
El-Banna, G., Higuera, K., & Mendoza, F. S. (2021) · Academic pediatrics · doi:10.1016/j.acap.2021.07.016 · Cited by 5
Training School Professionals in a Global Pandemic: Insights From Elementary Education and Speech-Language Pathology
Bowers, L. M., Young, H. D., & Glade, R. (2022) · Language Speech and Hearing Services in Schools · doi:10.1044/2022_lshss-21-00176 · Cited by 4
Principals' Perceptions of Online Teaching and Learning in School After the Outbreak of the Pandemic
Kong, S. C., & Ma, Y. T. (2022) · International Journal of Distance Education Technologies · doi:10.4018/ijdet.313173 · Cited by 4
“Xu and Zammit (2020) pointed out that thematic analysis can be applied in educational research to analyse qualitative data.”
Background
“Not me” consumer justifications for not reporting suspected price‐fixing activities: Neutralization techniques & counterstrategies
Wong, P., Vanharanta, M., Wan, C., & Lo, M. F. (2023) · Journal of Consumer Behaviour · doi:10.1002/cb.2242 · Cited by 4
Embedding a whole school culture for supporting teacher and pupil wellbeing: A Well Schools case study example
Hennessey, A., MacQuarrie, S., Pert, K., Bagnall, C. L., & Squires, G. (2023) · Psychology of Education Review · doi:10.53841/bpsper.2023.47.2.22 · Cited by 4
Illegal parking attendants and parking (mis)management: A case study in Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia
Cheisviyanny, C., Rasli, A., Dwita, S., et al. (2023) · Asian Transport Studies · doi:10.1016/j.eastsj.2023.100118 · Cited by 4
Satu Suro Ceremony Tradition: Tahlilan in the Perspective of Islamic Religious Education
Isdiana, I., Zaid, M. A., & Akhtar, S. (2024) · Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam Indonesia (JPAII) · doi:10.37251/jpaii.v5i1.906 · Cited by 4
“The analysis procedure is that after obtaining the data, first, data reduction is carried out by detailing the qualitative data that has been collected [35], [36].”
Method
Direct to psychology for sleep disorders: Innovating models of care in the hospital and health service
Winter, S., Crocker, S., Rolls, T., Curtin, D., Haratsis, J. M., & Szollosi, I. (2024) · Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1177/13591053241267272 · Cited by 4
“Quantitative data collected via the Consensus group workshop for confidential responses produced during the silent generation phase were evaluated utilising inductive Thematic Analysis (TA) (Braun and Clarke, 2006; Xu and Zammit, 2020).”
‘Freedom to Learn-Independent Campus’and Pre-Service Teachers Proffesional Identity Development
Kurniawati, L. A., & Kristianti, V. (2022) · Jurnal Pendidikan Teori Penelitian dan Pengembangan · doi:10.17977/2502-471x.2389 · Cited by 4
The experiences of speech-language pathologists when collaborating with spoken language interpreters, multilingual families, and their children with hearing loss
Hooper, C., Hopf, S., & Crowe, K. M. (2025) · International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology · doi:10.1080/17549507.2025.2452903 · Cited by 3
“This hybrid approach combined deduct-ive and inductive thematic analysis consistent with that implemented in similar practitioner/educator research seeking to understand participants’ attitudes towards an experience (see for example: Byrne, 2022; Proudfoot, 2023; Xu and Zammit, 2020).”
Exploring Developmental Trajectories for English Language Teachers: Evidence From Professional Agency, Teacher Commitment, and Professional Learning Communities in Chinese Universities
Yuan, F., Li, J., & Mao, Y. (2025) · SAGE Open · doi:10.1177/21582440251320058 · Cited by 8
“The thematic analysis (TA) approach was conducted to output the research result (Xu & Zammit, 2020) by identifying, analyzing, and unscrambling the patterns of interpretation.”
How do Educators Use Evidence to Inform Decision-Making in Australian Early Childhood Education and Care Settings? A Qualitative Interview Study
Levickis, P. A., Murray, L., Lee-Pang, L., Ramia, I., People, J., Page, J., Eadie, P., & Mancenido, Z. (2025) · International Journal of Early Childhood · doi:10.1007/s13158-025-00422-8 · Cited by 3
“Second, these authors independently generated initial codes for the first half of the transcripts, using a data-driven approach to capture interviewee’s views by assigning a word or short phrase to a passage of data (Xu & Zammit, 2020).”
Engaging Stakeholders in the Development of a National Digital Mental Health Strategy: Reflexive Thematic Analysis
Kennedy, S., Fitzgerald, R. M., & Melia, R. (2025) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/71601 · Cited by 4
“Reflexive thematic analysis involves the identification and reporting of patterns in a dataset, which are then interpreted for their inherent meaning [33-35]; these patterns can be recognized by analyzing the meaning of keywords used by participants.”
Exploring the Urban Greening Community in Jakarta’s Urban Kampung: A Tactical Urbanism Perspective
Fitri, H., & Sari, A. A. (2025) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su17093904 · Cited by 5
Exploring means–ends decoupling in the tenure track system of China’s “Double First-Class” universities: an institutional logics perspective
Liu, S., Lv, M., Huang, Q., & Zhang, X. (2025) · Asia Pacific Education Review · doi:10.1007/s12564-025-10055-0 · Cited by 3
“We combined inductive coding (Braun & Clarke, 2019; Fereday & Muir-Cochrane, 2006; Xu & Zammit, 2020), in which codes emerged from the data, with a deductive approach guided by institutional logics theory and means–ends decoupling theory.”
Advancing netnography – hybdrid ways of coding social media content
Kuźniarska, A., Czakon, W., Jedynak, M., Mania, K., & Woszczyna, K. (2025) · Journal of Organizational Change Management · doi:10.1108/jocm-06-2025-0491 · Cited by 5
Examining student reflections on academic misconduct: insights for academic integrity in higher education
Munoz, A., Hinchcliff, M., Mackay, J., & Rogerson, A. M. (2025) · Studies in Higher Education · doi:10.1080/03075079.2025.2591419 · Cited by 3
Teachers’ narratives: Exploring the dynamics of inclusive education in Indonesian public and private primary schools
Syafiulia, S. H., & Maadad, N. (2025) · International Journal of Educational Development · doi:10.1016/j.ijedudev.2025.103474 · Cited by 3
Evaluating the Performance of Agricultural Cooperatives: A Micro-Level Conceptual Framework for Benchmarking
Kiisk, T., Iliopoulos, C. N., Lemsalu, K., & Värnik, R. (2026) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su18031671 · Cited by 4
“Thematic analysis is a qualitative research method for identifying, analysing, and reporting patterns in data [40–42].”
Efficiency or intensification? A systematic review of generative AI and academic workload in higher education
Su, F., Beh, W. F., & Lee, K. C. S. (2026) · Acta Psychologica · doi:10.1016/j.actpsy.2026.107353 · Cited by 7
Early Identification of Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Difficulties by School Staff: A Qualitative Examination of Dutch Primary School Practices
der Maten, M. L. J.-V., Rommes, E. W. M., & Scholte, R. H. J. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph20010654 · Cited by 3
“The first and second authors, MJ and ER, then thematically coded the interview data using a phase-by-phase recursive process [44,45] in MAXQDA V20.”
Method
Do Saudi Arabian Educational Policies Determine the Promotion of Creativity with Gifted Students?
Salamah, M., Campbell, M. A., & Chalmers, C. (2023) · Asian Journal of Education and Social Studies · doi:10.9734/ajess/2023/v38i3826 · Cited by 4
Emotionality, spatiality and relationality: deciphering the emotional geographies of Chinese language education in Australia
Xu, W. J., & Stahl, G. (2023) · Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development · doi:10.1080/01434632.2023.2240754 · Cited by 3
“In other words, a hybrid approach of inductive and deductive coding and theme development was employed in this research study (Xu and Zammit 2020).”
Self-citation
Exploring political corporate social responsibility: a qualitative content analysis of multinational corporations' diplomacy efforts during the Russia–Ukraine war
ERAY, T. E., & Ki, E. (2024) · Journal of Communication Management · doi:10.1108/jcom-10-2023-0110 · Cited by 3
Education researchers who teach in schools: a braided river approach to enhancing research and practice
Prentice, C. M. (2024) · International Journal of Social Research Methodology · doi:10.1080/13645579.2024.2380995 · Cited by 3
“Such analytical advantages of being an insider researcher are sometimes overlooked, with insider-ness seen as a factor biasing or contaminating analysis (Breen, 2007; Xu & Zammit, 2020).”
Sami Cultural Heritage Institutions’ Insights into Education and Digitalisation
Linkola-Aikio, I.-A., & Keskitalo, P. (2025) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-76941-2_15 · Cited by 3
Mixed-Methods Study of First-Year Physics Students: Soft Barriers to Coding
Mears, M., DASH, L., Galloway, R., Karpenko, C., Labrosse, N., Mason, V., & Quinn, M. (2025) · Journal of Science Education and Technology · doi:10.1007/s10956-025-10198-0 · Cited by 6
“Readers are directed to Braun and Clarke’s original paper and subsequent works (Braun et al., 2019; Xu & Zammit, 2020) for comprehensive guidance on the approach and its validity.”
Family business succession in Indian micro and small technology business
Gera, S., Sabat, K. C., Perumandla, S., & Bhattacharyya, S. S. (2025) · International journal of organizational analysis · doi:10.1108/ijoa-10-2024-4891 · Cited by 3
Families’ social capital and school participation of children with developmental disabilities in China
Jiang, X., & Thompson, I. (2025) · Disability & Society · doi:10.1080/09687599.2025.2494145 · Cited by 3
“This study used an inductive approach of thematic analysis whereby codes were actively sought out through reviewing the dataset rather than fit into a pre-existing coding frame (Xu and Zammit 2020).”
Perceptions of linguistic parity on social media: a qualitative comparison between primary Cymraeg and English-medium secondary school pupils
Jones, R., Reppa, I., & Reed, P. (2022) · International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism · doi:10.1080/13670050.2022.2072171 · Cited by 3
“The deductive approach was subjected to the six-step thematic analytic design proposed by Braun and Clarke (2006), which has been widely used (Crompton et al. 2020; Tambling et al. 2021; Xu and Zammit 2020).”
Method
Educational Technologies as Pedagogical Tools
Shambare, B., Simuja, C., & Olayinka, T. A. (2022) · International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education · doi:10.4018/ijicte.307109 · Cited by 3
“The data analysis procedure included the researchers’ use of a thematic analysis approach, which identifies, organises, analyses, and reports patterns/themes within data (Zammit, 2020).”
Method
Exploring Strategies for Marketing Library Products and Services in University Libraries in Ghana
Agyei, D. D., & Ngulube, P. (2022) · The International Information & Library Review · doi:10.1080/10572317.2022.2100217 · Cited by 3
“The researchers then transcribed the recorded interviews verbatim, which were then analyzed thematically (Herzog et al., 2019; Xu & Zammit, 2020).”
Method
How to Improve Training in Descriptive Psychopathology for Psychiatry Residents: A Delphi Study
Etxeandia-Pradera, J.-I., Landeta, J., Such, J. G., et al. (2022) · Psychopathology · doi:10.1159/000525691 · Cited by 3
Pre-service teachers' use of ICT to collaborate to complete assessment tasks
Slater, E., Barwood, D., & Cordery, Z. (2022) · The Australian Educational Researcher · doi:10.1007/s13384-022-00580-x · Cited by 3
“Open response items were inductively coded to thematically locate critical information through a process of constant comparison (Xu & Zammit, 2020).”
Method
Analysis of Pre-clerkship Medical Students’ Perceptions and Performance During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Ayoubieh, H., Alkhalili, E., Niño, D. F., Coué, M., Herber-Valdez, C. R., & Pfarr, C. M. (2023) · Medical Science Educator · doi:10.1007/s40670-022-01723-6 · Cited by 3
“They reviewed the open-ended responses independently, utilizing an inductive method for narrative analysis to code student responses [32].”
Method
A phenomenological study of the beliefs of family caregivers of children living with HIV / AIDS on adherence to antiretroviral therapy
Yiryuo, L., Osman, W., & Kpekura, S. (2023) · Nursing Open · doi:10.1002/nop2.1833 · Cited by 3
Understanding young Chinese customers’ perceptions of unsafe city image restoration after Covid-19 outbreak
Li, C., Agyeiwaah, E., Imboden, A., et al. (2023) · International Journal of Tourism Cities · doi:10.1108/ijtc-12-2022-0265 · Cited by 3
The Impacts of the COVID-19 Traffic Light System on Staff in Tertiary Education in New Zealand
Taylor, L.-A., Reid, J., & Jagroop, A. I. (2023) · Education Sciences · doi:10.3390/educsci14010048 · Cited by 3
“This approach allowed for the identification and analysis of emergent themes from the data, eliminating researchers’ preconceptions [16,17].”
Cognitive coping strategies that supported teacher resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic
Williams, E., Ferreira, R., & Botha, T. (2023) · South African Journal of Education · doi:10.15700/saje.v43ns1a2425 · Cited by 3
“…data analysis, we set up codes of analysis by deriving a codebook (table of analysis) from the theory described by Carver (2013) and Carver et al. (1989) to organise the text for subsequent interpretation (Crabtree & Miller, 1999; Schwandt, 2007; Swain, 2018; Van der Walt, 2012; Xu & Zammit, 2020).”
Method
It’s an Imagined Fuṣḥatopia: Teacher Language Ideologies and Multilingual Practices in Arabic Heritage Learning in the United States
Abourehab, Y. (2024) · Applied Linguistics · doi:10.1093/applin/amae036 · Cited by 3
“Through constant comparative analysis and thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke 2006; Xu and Zammit 2020), the emerging themes were coded, and repeated patterns were identified using an inductive coding process, such as multidialectal awareness, functions of dialects, beliefs, and challenges.”
Survive, thrive and transform: African international students’ lived experience of monolingual Chinese higher education
Xu, W. J. (2024) · Language and Education · doi:10.1080/09500782.2024.2368804 · Cited by 3
“In this way, additional codes were identified by applying ‘descriptive coding’ to the data (Saldana 2016) (Table 3), since I assigned words and short phrases to the topic of a passage of the transcripts, or took the participants own language as codes (Xu and Zammit 2020).”
Self-citation
Radiography managers’ perceptions on skills required in public health institutes in Gauteng
Mopeli, J. L., Ramashia, P. N., & Hazell, L. J. (2024) · Health SA Gesondheid · doi:10.4102/hsag.v29i0.2654 · Cited by 3
Equity Matters: A Decade-Long Systematic Review of Strategies for Equity and Justice in English-as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL) Classrooms
Chen, F. (2024) · SAGE Open · doi:10.1177/21582440241295820 · Cited by 3
“Acknowledged for its accessibility and flexibility for investigating qualitative data (Xu & Zammit, 2020), this bottom-up coding technique intending to capture latent meanings inherent in a specific context (Braun & Clarke, 2021) was employed.”
Risk management practices in construction projects: a qualitative exploration of MSMEs in India
Singla, H. K., & Phadtare, M. T. (2025) · Journal of Advances in Management Research · doi:10.1108/jamr-06-2024-0217 · Cited by 3
A Conceptual Framework for Student Retention in an Advanced Financial Accounting Course: Traditional vs. Blended Learning Environments
Kottara, C., Asonitou, S., & Kavalieraki-Foka, D. (2025) · Trends in Higher Education · doi:10.3390/higheredu4030030 · Cited by 3
Using Focus to Personalise Learning and Feedback in Software Engineering Education
Modi, B. A., Cain, A., Wood-Bradley, G., et al. (2023) · IEEE/ACM International Conference on Software Engineering: Software Engineering Education and Training (ICSE-SEET) · doi:10.1109/icse-seet58685.2023.00033 · Cited by 3
“Xu and Zammit [22] argue that the six-step approach to the thematic analysis presented by Braun and Clarke [23] for psychology can also be utilized by educational researchers to make active decisions and work efﬁciently using a theoretically informed and constrained research methodology.”
BackgroundMethod
Thematic Learning Based on Critical Thinking Skills using Blended Learning System in Elementary School
Triyanto, J., Sukarno, S., & Kurniawan, S. B. (2022) · International Journal of Elementary Education · doi:10.23887/ijee.v6i2.45954 · Cited by 3
Integrating Computational Thinking in Humanistic Subjects in Higher Education
Christensen, I. F. (2022) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-17727-4_180-1 · Cited by 3
From Data to Insights: Developing a Tool to Enhance Our Decision Making Using Reflexive Thematic Analysis and Qualitative Evidence
Muir, R. (2023) · Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association · doi:10.1080/24750158.2023.2206603 · Cited by 6
“We can approach analysis in many ways, however a style particularly suited for practitioner use is thematic analysis (TA) (Xu & Zammit, 2020).”
Method
The immigrant linguistic maturation of Asian American and Latinx language brokers
Higuera, K. (2024) · Sociology Compass · doi:10.1111/soc4.13221 · Cited by 2
Exploring the role of ICTs and assistive technologies for deaf and hard of hearing students in Greek postsecondary education
Saini, M., Milakis, E. D., Loukisas, T., Argyrakou, C. C., Virvidaki, A. K., & Kosmatos, P. (2024) · International Journal of Speech and Audiology · doi:10.22271/27103846.2024.v5.i2a.62 · Cited by 2
Developing a Smart Implementation Framework for Blockchain-Based P2P Renewable Energy Trading in Indonesia: A Qualitative Analysis Approach
Ludji, O., Yandri, E., Sidharta, R., Timba, A., Amaral, C., & Ariati, R. (2025) · Heca Journal of Applied Sciences · doi:10.60084/hjas.v3i1.273 · Cited by 3
Balancing positive and negative: A dialectical understanding of Chinese older adults toward online learning
Cheng, H., Yang, H., & Sun, Y. (2025) · International Journal of Educational Research · doi:10.1016/j.ijer.2025.102616 · Cited by 2
Turning crisis into opportunities: how teachers exercise agency during school closures
MacLean, J., Hibert, A. I., Pantić, N., Phillips, M., Gašević, D., & Tsai, Y.-S. (2025) · Social Sciences & Humanities Open · doi:10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101823 · Cited by 2
Corporate responses to sustainability issues: are they rhetorical?
Sisdyani, E. A., Sudana, I. P., Ardiana, P. A., et al. (2025) · Journal of financial reporting & accounting · doi:10.1108/jfra-11-2024-0845 · Cited by 2
Experiences and barriers to alcohol use disorder treatment among adults with and without self‐reported executive functioning challenges: A mixed‐methods study
Russell, C., Wiese, J. L., Ruocco, A. C., Bozinoff, N., González, R. R. R., Jennings, S., Leyton, M., Nikolova, Y. S., Orson, J., Potenza, M. N., et al. (2025) · Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research · doi:10.1111/acer.70154 · Cited by 3
“A hybrid thematic analysis approach was employed, combining both deductive and inductive coding, in accordance with established methods (Braun & Clarke, 2013; Xu & Zammit, 2020 ).”
Building Sustainable Futures Through CBET: Examining the Role of Teacher Preparedness and Leadership in the Implementation of Education-Related SDG Policies in Kenyan TVETs
Matu, J. B., Mugo, E., Ouma, N., Fleck, J. A., Brennan, M. A., & Cossa, J. (2026) · Interchange · doi:10.1007/s10780-025-09552-3 · Cited by 4
Articulating the essence: developing and naming themes in descriptive phenomenological research
Abraham, D. M., & Padmakumari, P. (2026) · Qualitative Research Journal · doi:10.1108/qrj-11-2025-0430 · Cited by 2
Mobile Professional Development for STEM Teachers Using AI
Shal, T., Ghamrawi, N., Ghamrawi, N. A. R., Abu-Tineh, A. M. H., & Alshaboul, Y. M. K. (2026) · Computers in the Schools · doi:10.1080/07380569.2026.2622712 · Cited by 3
A Mixed-methods Study of How to Improve Primary-secondary Transitions in England: Combining Academic Research with Policy and Practice Consultation
Bagnall, C. L., Edge, D., Banwell, E., Seymour, R., Garnett, N., Mason, C., Panayiotou, M., Jindal‐Snape, D., Packer, R., Hodgkin, K., et al. (2026) · Educational Psychology Review · doi:10.1007/s10648-026-10174-z · Cited by 3
“This is a flexible analytical approach, designed to support researchers to systematically reduce data while making comparisons across codes and delegates (Ozturk et al., 2025 ; Xu & Zammit, 2020).”
Curriculum Innovation in Vietnam: A Study on Teachers’ Attitudes using the Dimensions of ACB (Affective, Cognitive and Behavioral) Model
Pillai, A. K., Pereira, M., Roe, J., et al. (2022) · Vietnam Journal of Education (online)/Vietnam Journal of Education/Giáo dục · doi:10.52296/vje.2022.141 · Cited by 2
“The framework for initial code development was adapted from Xu and Zammit (2020) and used to complete the second stage of the TA, based on deductive analysis of, affective, cognitive, and behavioural competencies.”
MethodInfluential
Considering the cost(s) of the game: Consumer behavior and parents in youth ice hockey
Murata, A., & Côté, J. (2022) · Journal of Applied Sport Psychology · doi:10.1080/10413200.2022.2098878 · Cited by 3
“In this way, lower-level codes were identified and categorized deductively while higher-order categories and themes were constructed inductively as original responses to the project ’ s research question (Xu & Zammit, 2020).”
Method
Family Businesses and Their Transition to Industry 4.0
Khalil, Z. T., & Nahid, F. (2022) · International Journal of Technology and Human Interaction · doi:10.4018/ijthi.306229 · Cited by 2
“The findings were classified and arranged according to themes so that their given information could be related to the objective of this study, as recommended by Xu and Zammit (2020).”
Background
An opportunity to develop respect and responsibility through a socio-musical program in a primary school: A case study
Muñoz, E. Á. C., Calvo, L. C., & Cabedo–Mas, A. (2022) · Research Studies in Music Education · doi:10.1177/1321103x221131210 · Cited by 2
“The data were analyzed following a hybrid approach of thematic analysis (Xu & Zammit, 2020), combining inductive and deductive coding and theme development through “bottom-up” and “top-down” approaches to identify themes.”
Method
A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF INFORMAL CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN WITH HIV/AIDS ON ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY ADHERENCE
Osman, W., Yiryuo, L., & Kpekura, S. (2022) · Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health Research · doi:10.20473/jcmphr.v3i2.35676 · Cited by 2
Thematic analysis and development of a conceptual framework for agile meetings' problems
Gaborov, M., Stojanov, Ž., & Popov, S. (2023) · Journal of Engineering Management and Competitiveness · doi:10.5937/jemc2301061g · Cited by 2
“It can be said that thematic analysis (TA) is an accessible, flexible (Kiger & Varpio, 2020), and increasingly popular method (Kiger & Varpio, 2020; Xu & Zammit, 2020) of qualitative data analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2019).”
Elements of Communication Competence in Encountering Traumatized Adolescents in Substitute Care
Leinonen, L., Kaittila, A., Alin, M., et al. (2023) · Young · doi:10.1177/11033088231171276 · Cited by 2
“This hybrid approach assists a researcher in identifying the most basic elements of the raw data and flexibly discovering both descriptive and interpretive meanings that appear to be interesting and relevant to the research question (Xu & Zammit, 2020).”
Routine Literacy Practices as a Cultural Agenda: Children’s Experiences of Writing “Difficult” Chinese Characters in Australia
Xu, W. J., & Stahl, G. (2023) · Journal of Language Identity & Education · doi:10.1080/15348458.2023.2252515 · Cited by 4
“When the two data sets (observation and research journals, focus groups) were clustered and connected, relevant codes were sorted, collated, and combined to form an overarching theme (Xu & Zammit, 2020).”
Self-citation
Redesigning higher education study skills courses: reflections of Gen Z students on a dynamic and interactive syllabus
Fekete, I., & Divéki, R. (2023) · doi:10.29180/9786156342560_9 · Cited by 2
Students’ Perception Towards Teaching Practices Among Lecturers With Professional Engineer Certification: A Qualitative Approach
Lazim, N. A. M., Abdullah, R. A., Ariffin, S. H. S., et al. (2023) · The Malaysian Journal of Qualitative Research · doi:10.61211/mjqr090107 · Cited by 2
Data Analysis Methods
Gupta, A. K. (2023) · Springer texts in social sciences · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-49650-9_5 · Cited by 2
Diasporic Belonging in Religious Spaces: Insights from Within the Sri Lankan Diaspora
Ratnam, C., & Arambewela-Colley, N. (2024) · Journal of Intercultural Studies · doi:10.1080/07256868.2024.2307949 · Cited by 2
“Then we analysed text data (transcripts, ﬁ eld notes and journal entries) based on the predetermined codes (Xu and Zammit 2020).”
Method
Unpacking changing emotions in multiple contexts: idiodynamic study of college students’ academic emotions
Zhang, L., Cao, W., & Tsung, L. (2024) · IRAL - International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching · doi:10.1515/iral-2023-0290 · Cited by 4
Cancer survivorship in urban people living with cancer following primary treatment: A secondary analysis of qualitative interview data
Mahmood, S., Graham, F. L., Cooke, S., Kane, R., & Nelson, D. (2024) · Supportive Care in Cancer · doi:10.1007/s00520-024-08464-9 · Cited by 3
“A hybrid inductive/deductive reasoning approach was used [35], as transcripts were analysed chronologically into deductive codes, with data sometimes fitting into multiple nodes.”
Method
Walking Carefully Towards Bridging the Gap: Exploring Australian Music Educator Voices About Teaching Indigenous Music
Joseph, D., & Merrick, B. (2023) · The Australian journal of teacher education · doi:10.14221/1835-517x.6457 · Cited by 2
Unregulated Open-Access versus Regulated Open-Access Fishing: Stakeholders Perceptions in Sierra Leone
Okeke‐Ogbuafor, N., & Gray, T. S. (2024) · Fishes · doi:10.3390/fishes9070282 · Cited by 2
Insights from a Virtual Clinical Immersion Program
Brennan-Pierce, E. P., Stanton, S. G., & Dunn, J. (2024) · Biomedical Engineering Education · doi:10.1007/s43683-024-00156-4 · Cited by 2
“In vivo coding, an inductive coding method for thematic analysis [18], of participant responses led to identification of several themes: real-world BME applications, clinical experience, design, and career impacts.”

Authors: Xu, W., & Zammit, K.
Affiliations: Western Sydney University (AU)
Corresponding author: Xu, Wen
ORCID: Xu, Wen
Zammit, Katina
Venue: International Journal of Qualitative Methods
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Published: 2020-01-01
Volume: 19
ISSN: 1609-4069 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1177/1609406920918810
OpenAlex: W3017081314
Semantic Scholar: ef33d721af2df64450ea917acadf108460bfc0de
Cited by: 634
References: 37
Citations by year: 2026: 122 · 2025: 161 · 2024: 121 · 2023: 111 · 2022: 85 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 6
FWCI: 87.27
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: gold
doi.org
Licence: cc-by-nc
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (unspecified)
Locations: International Journal of Qualitative Methods (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics: Social Sciences › Education › Qualitative Research Methods and Applications
Social Sciences › Education › Educational Research and Methods
Social Sciences › Education › Educational Research and Analysis
Keywords: thematic analysis, practitioner research, teacher research, theme development, constructivist epistemology, teaching practice, multi-source data

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review

Applying Thematic Analysis to Education: A Hybrid Approach to Interpreting Data in Practitioner Research

Abstract

Overview

Integrity signals

Verification

Claims the paper makes

Citations

Cites

Cited by

Related

Metadata

Record

About these checks