Qualitative data analysis for applied policy research

“Thematic analysis of interview transcripts was informed by the Framework Method across five phases: familiarization, framework development, indexing, charting and mapping, and interpretation (Pope et al., 2020; Ritchie et al., 2003; Ritchie & Spencer, 2002).”

“Data were analysed using a five-step framework approach [28].”

“While it is acknowledged that the analytical process is subjective and open to different interpretations, collaboration allows researchers to pool and organise meaning and assumptions in the data [45].”

“Drawing on the framework outlined by Ritchie and Spencer (1994), the qualitative data analysis involved coding emergent themes and sub-themes, which were progressively refined as the analysis progressed.”

“This qualitative data analysis approach has five key steps: data familiarization, the iterative development of a thematic framework, indexing data to categorize it within the framework, summarizing the data within each category, and interpreting the data [24].”

“As per Ritchie and Spencer [32], data saturation was reached when no new data or themes were revealed by subsequent interviewees, which occurred when data had been gathered from 22 participants.”

“33,34 For example, we had determined a priori that challenges with understanding questions and solutions proposed by participants were of central interest.”

“59 The aim of Framework Analysis is to identify, describe and interpret overarching patterns within and across individuals and themes related to the research topic.”

“Data were analyzed iteratively using the framework method developed by Richie and Spencer (21) and proposed by Gale et al . for applied health research.”

“The information obtained from the focus groups, individual interviews and comments from the participants during the program sessions were transcribed and content analysis was conducted using the Theoretical Framework Analysis methodology [52].”

“This analytical strategy was chosen because it is particularly appropriate for analysing qualitative data in policy research (Ritchie and Spencer, 1994).”

“The transcripts will be coded thematically according to Flick [45] or using framework analysis [46,47].”

“Qualitative policy studies have historically relied on in-depth interpretative analysis of political texts such as parliamentary debates, government bills, and committee reports (Owen 2014; Ritchie and Spencer 2002).”

“Thematic analysis was conducted by the first author using a framework approach [22].”

“20,21 We specified each feedback model from the published literature, and any associated textual data (guides, modules and websites) associated with it as a case.”

“Interviews were thematically analysed using the Framework Method, 23,24 a flexible and pragmatic approach that enables the comparison of data from different stakeholder groups.”

“Reviewers will familiarise themselves with the interviews to enable the identification of recurring themes and key ideas [31,32].”

“…involved inductively developing a preliminary coding framework of high-level descriptive codes, drafted after the team read and discussed a set of transcripts following the first three steps of Ritchie and Spencer (1994) – immersion in the data, developing a coding framework, and coding of data.”

“A deductive framework analysis [18] using an a priori thematic coding framework developed from the CFIR, the study aims, and familiarisation with the data was used to line- by-line code the transcripts.”

“Ritchie and Spencer ’ s (2002) fi ve-step method was followed: (i) familiarisation with the dataset; (ii) framework development; (iii) line-by-line coding and indexing against the framework; (iv) charting data; and (v) mapping and interpreting patterns in data.”

“Data were analysed using framework analysis (Richie and Spencer, 1994), which involves five stages: familiarisation, establishing a thematic framework, indexing, charting, and mapping and interpretation (Richie and Spencer, 1994).”

“The qualitative data analysis methodology adopted by this study was based on the principles of framework analysis (Ritchie and Spencer 1994).”

“Interviews were analysed using the framework method (Ritchie and Spencer 1994).”

“…Technique [33]: thoroughly/extensively reading the transcribed interviews (text format), naming macro/sub categories, identifying codes, building thematic charts to break down narratives (two-way matrices, with categories in columns and cases/interviewees in rows), and interpreting results [16,34].”

“Transcripts were then imported into NVivo-Lumivero Windows© (QSR international), and analysed using a thematic approach [27].”

“…followed by the creation of a coding framework, the identification of emerging themes within the transcripts, the organisation and visualisation of responses through charting and mapping, and ultimately, the interpretation of the obtained results (Gale et al., 2013 ; Spencer & Ritchie, 2002).”

“The data was analysed by six members of the research teams in line with the process of framework analysis (Gale et al., 2013; Ritchie & Spencer, 2002).”

“Prior constructs and assumptions will be evaluated against the data, and new themes will be incorporated into the matrix coding scheme [82].”

“Throughout this process, we acknowledged that making sense of qualitative data is not merely about aggregating patterns, “ but of weighing up the salience and dynamics of issues and searching for a structure rather than a multiplicity of evidence ” (Ritchie and Spencer, 2002, p. 186).”

“The data (26), where no new themes or data were revealed by the interviewees.”

“This is an approach to organise data based on framework analysis, 22 although analysis was still undertaken using reflexive thematic analysis.”

“To contextualise the investigation practices and identify factors featured in investigation work, this research employed a framework approach for thematic analysis, an analytical method to answer contextual and diagnostic questions for policy research (Ritchie and Spencer 2002).”

“We used Nvivo software to manage the data and coded it according to the principles of ‘Framework for applied policy research’ [ 18], which consists of a five-stage process including familiarization, identifying themes, indexing, charting, and interpretation.”

“Data was coded iteratively alongside data collection using Framework Analysis [14], following Gale et al [15].”

“Interviews were recorded with permission, professionally transcribed, checked for accuracy, and coded using a framework analysis approach (Gale et al., 2013; Ritchie & Spencer, 2022).”

“Data was coded in a five-stage process using Gale et al. (2013) worked example and referencing Ritchie and Spencer (2002) explanation of the process and implementation of framework thematic analysis (see Supplementary Appendix 2 for the project ’ s data coding protocol document).”

“The five stages of the analytical process comprised familiarization, identification of a thematic framework, indexing, charting, and mapping and interpretation [42].”

“…began through the process of familiarization, where the researcher immerses themselves in the body of materials they have gathered and sets any hunches they may have about the data “firmly in context by taking stock and gaining a feel for the material as a whole” (Ritchie & Spencer, 2002, p. 310).”

“2006; Clarke and Braun 2018; Connelly and Peltzer 2016; DeSantis and Ugarriza 2000; Ritchie and Spencer 1994; Whittaker 2009) and in the field of gender studies (e.g. Aguinaldo 2012; Huxley, Clarke, and Halliwell 2016), as it suits questions regarding people’s experiences and people’s views and…”

“This classification was conducted based on a framework analysis, a methodological approach that allows for the systematic identification and interpretation of key themes and patterns (Gale et al., 2013; Parkinson et al., 2016; Ritchie & Spencer, 1994).”

“The researchers took notes during the focus group discussions and analysed the data in accordance with the codes of Framework Analysis, based on Ritchie and Spencer (1994).”

“Data analysis for programme theory development and refnement was undertaken in accordance with the RAMESES II guidelines [30] and involved framework analysis [42].”

“Interview transcripts were analysed using framework analysis, a tool for thematic analysis of qualitative data that involves data familiarisation, coding, developing a framework, indexing, charting, and interpretation (Gale et al., 2013; Ritchie et al., 1994).”

“Data were thematically analyzed using Framework Analysis (Ritchie & Spencer, 1994; Spencer et al., 2003).”

“34 Feedback indicated that the Word template was practical, with its question based format receiving praise despite being viewed as visually unappealing.”

“Framework Analytic Approach (Ritchie and Spencer, 2002) The intervention had a significant impact on the participants’ ability to identify emotional expressions, such as angry, sad, and happy, from static images of faces, coupled with decreases in reaction time from pre-to post-intervention assessments and follow-up.”

“Framework analysis proves valuable for analysing guideline documents through its structured matrix-based approach, enabling systematic categorisation of content across predefined themes while maintaining contextual integrity (Ritchie & Spencer, 2002).”

“This methodology was found particularly applicable compared to other qualitative analysis methods, as it is tailored for working with predefined themes, as well as allowing emergent themes beyond the predefined ones (Ritchie & Spencer, 1994).”

“All interviews were analyzed inductively according to thematic framework analysis following five stages [19].”

“…to thematic analysis in that data analysis is pragmatic and formative, while maintaining the researchers’ interpre-tivist approach and epistemological stance in understanding respondent narratives as presented in the data (Kiernan and Hill 2018; Parkinson et al. 2016; Ritchie and Spencer 1994 ).”

“Continuous data analysis enabled flexibility in interviews to explore emerging themes 44,47 whilst identifying data saturation 45,48 , which was achieved after 29 interviews, signalling an end to participant recruitment.”

“…approach); the breakdown of the narratives in charts (two-way matrices, with categories in columns and cases/interviewees in rows), also carried out by refining categories and codes; and the interpretation of the results according to the main similarities and differences that emerged [53,54].”

“This theoretical lens provided a foundation to explore the factors contributing to shortages and identify context-specific potential solutions while remaining open to emergent themes grounded in participants’ narratives [44, 45].”

“We followed this step with a thematic analysis (Ritchie & Spencer, 2002) that generated initial topical codes such as the object of the bias in an individual post, the object being analyzed, and the type of poster.”

“The key features of Framework analysis are that it is: grounded, dynamic, systematic, comprehensive, allows easy retrieval of the original text as well as between-and within-case analysis, and uses an analysis process that is transparent and accessible to others [34].”

“The five-step framework analysis method of Ritchie and Spencer, including familiarity with the data, identification of a thematic framework, indexing, and mapping and interpretation of the tables, was used to analyze the data [17].”

“…of the Framework Process were followed in the examination of the qualitative data which included familiarization, thematic framework identification, indexing, charting, mapping and interpretation 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1648880 Frontiers in Psychology 04 frontiersin.org (Ritchie and Spencer, 1994).”

“Semi-structured interviews were analysed using framework analysis (Ritchie & Spencer, 1994) selected over thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2022) because the study aimed to systematically map participant experiences against the established UDL framework, rather than generate new themes from the…”

“Framework analysis allowed us to stay close to the raw data, developing an analytic framework by flexibly moving between different levels of abstraction, and charting and mapping data and findings in order to identify and present themes and patterns (Ritchie & Spencer, 1994; Ritchie et al., 2003).”

“This approach involved familiarization with the data, applying a predefined thematic framework, indexing and coding, and iterative interpretation through team discussions (Ritchie and Spencer 2002).”

“For qualitative analyses, we used inductive coding and framework analysis (Ritchie & Spencer, 1994) to analyze the caregiver interviews.”

“It is flexible in nature and combines inductive and deductive analysis [35].”

“Framework analysis is not confined to a singular theoretical un-derpinning, making it a versatile tool for research across diverse disciplines [17].”

“Using Framework Analysis (56), each source will be coded to ERIC (43) in NVivo 14 and matched to suitable tools/resources for inclusion in the program package.”

“NDS is a variant of counselling, recommended by NICE [42] as an intervention for depression in children and young people.”

“Data were analysed using Framework Analysis (Ritchie and Spencer 1994).”

“This is a form of thematic analysis which encourages a step-by-step analytic approach, accompanied by an effective and transparent audit trail (Ritchie and Spencer 2002).”

“Charting, as per Ritchie and Spencer (1994), involves organizing qualitative data by key themes for synthesis and interpretation.”

“Team-based framework analysis 73 was used to identify themes in all re-stories as they related to participants' PI development within AP training.”

“Framework analysis enables rigorous analysis of both a priori and emergent issues arising from data, as patterns and differences between participant groups are identi fi ed by summarising and presenting data in charted form (Gale et al., 2013; Ritchie & Spencer, 1994).”

“The workshop was held on Zoom and was digitally recorded [29].”

“Interviews were analyzed using a framework analysis 24,25 .”

“Transcripts were qualitatively analyzed using framework analysis (Ritchie & Spencer, 1994) through the steps of familiarization, identifying a framework, indexing, charting and interpretation.”

“The “ Framework Approach ” (Ritchie & Spencer, 2002) was utilised to approach the large and complex dataset.”

“The indexing stage entails the application of the framework to the data of the sampled literature (Ritchie and Spencer 2002).”

“We employed Framework Analysis, a method developed for applied or policy-relevant qualitative research to support the development of action strategies (Ritchie & Spencer, 2002).”

“Whilst not yet actioned, staff had taken on board suggested implementation strategies, including setting up a local implementation group and identifying G-AP champions, however having the time to commit to these implementation efforts was a concern (Quotes 28 – 29).”