The DOI matches its Crossref record; 34 of the 37 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; none of the 17 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.
A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis
Open accessAbstract
Thematic analysis is an increasingly popular method for analysing qualitative data within the social sciences. Current guides for conducting thematic analysis promote the method’s broad flexibility across research designs, which has resulted in criticism that the method lacks the rigour and structure necessary for credible academic research. Recognizing the challenges faced by qualitative scholars, I developed and present an 8-step prescriptive approach specific to abductive methodologies incorporating many concepts from seminal works in thematic analysis, and importantly maintaining the balance of theorising with empirical data, which is the core of abductive research.
Overview
AI snapshot
Written from the paper’s full text.
TL;DR
The paper presents an 8-step prescriptive guide for conducting abductive thematic analysis, balancing empirical data with extant theory. It argues this structured approach addresses criticisms of thematic analysis as lacking rigour while remaining specific to abductive research designs.
Key findings
- Proposes an 8-step process: transcription and familiarisation, coding, codebook, development of themes, theorising, comparison of datasets, data display, and writing up.
- Abductive thematic analysis should produce latent themes, with theorising as a distinct step where existing theory guides but does not determine explanation; theory can be refined, changed, adapted, or consolidated when data do not fit.
- Recommends at least 2–3 rounds of coding and a codebook with label, definition, “when to use”/“when not to use” criteria, and an example quotation; thematic network analysis can show how themes derive from codes.
- Uses examples from the author’s research on ski resort employees and volunteer tourism, including consolidating “fun” and “exciting” codes into “enjoyable work” and combining Bourdieu’s practice theory with Blumer’s symbolic interactionism.
Methods
- Conceptual/methodological paper, not an empirical study; develops an 8-step guide initially during the author’s PhD and refined through the author’s own research and teaching.
- Integrates concepts from thematic analysis (e.g., codebook from Guest et al., 2012; thematic network analysis from Attride-Stirling, 2001) with seminal abductive research principles.
- Illustrates steps with examples from the author’s prior studies, including ski resort employees and volunteer tourism projects.
Limitations
- The paper states it is not a one-size-fits-all or flexible method for all thematic analysis; it is tailored specifically to abductive research methodologies.
- The paper notes that advocates of reflexive/inductive thematic analysis have disregarded the codebook as positivistic, and that quantification of qualitative data is often impossible and unnecessary for exploratory conceptual understanding.
- Evident from the text: the guide is based on the author’s experience and selected examples rather than systematic empirical validation or comparison with other abductive thematic analysis guides.
Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.
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Claims the paper makes
10 Not checked yet · 6 Own interpretation
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
“However, quantification is not necessary for qualitative thematic analysis.”
§ A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis > Step (6) Comparison of Datasets
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.
In the paper
“Presenting quotations also improves trustworthiness, as the veracity of the raw empirical data is difficult to challenge, and is a method for demonstrating reflexivity by giving voice to the participants independent of your personal opinions or feelings (Guest et al., 2012).”
§ A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis > Step (8) Writing Up
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites Guest et al., 2012
plaindirect- 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.
None of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“Current guides for conducting thematic analysis promote the method's broad flexibility across research designs”
§ A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis > Abstract
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites Guest et al., 2012
- Not checked yetcites Nowell et al., 2017
- Not checked yetcites Braun & Clarke, 2006
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
“The theoretical contributions produce a degree of generalizability, as the theorisation of the raw data transcends the individualised social setting, as it has links to existing knowledge and understanding (Coffey & Atkinson, 1996).”
§ A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis > Abductive Data Analysis
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites Coffey & Atkinson, 1996
plaindirect- 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
“A thematic network analysis technique can address these concerns.”
§ A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis > Step (7) Data Display
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.
- Rests on an assumption: When abductively analysing data, often reviewers will question if an academic has over-reached and whether theoretical contributions are truly representative of the raw data.
In the paper
“Accordingly, abductive research is described as recursive and iterative because theory is generated theory, but also theoretical development is culled in areas where phenomena are adequately explained by extant literature (Timmermans & Tavory, 2012).”
§ A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis > Abductive Data Analysis
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites Timmermans & Tavory, 2012
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.
- Probably not a substantial claim. 9
- It may state two separate claims as one. 2
None of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“which has resulted in criticism that the method lacks the rigour and structure necessary for credible academic research.”
§ A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis > Abstract
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites Braun et al., 2019
- Not checked yetcites Braun & Clarke, 2019
- Not checked yetcites Lochmiller, 2021
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
“In the case of abductive thematic analysis, latent themes should always be the outcome as theorisation is central to abductive reasoning, as shall be discussed in the following step.”
§ A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis > Step (4) Development of Themes
boosteddirect- 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 have been checked yet.
In the paper
“Thematic analysis is an increasingly popular method for analysing qualitative data within the social sciences.”
§ A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis > Abstract
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites Braun et al., 2019
- Not checked yetcites Campbell et al., 2021
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.
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
“This is an important part of abductive thematic analysis, making it distinct from other guides to qualitative analysis.”
§ A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis > Step (5) Theorising
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.
In the paper
“Overall, the consolidation of an abductive research design with thematic analysis is an effective tool for gathering rich understanding from participant narratives, while ensuring findings have theoretical generalizability (Coffey & Atkinson, 1996).”
§ A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis > Conclusion
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites Coffey & Atkinson, 1996
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.
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
“However, like with Step 6, there is no requirement for data display to be quantified.”
§ A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis > Step (7) Data Display
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.
None of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“maintaining the balance of theorising with empirical data, which is the core of abductive research.”
§ A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis > Abstract
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites Atkinson et al., 2003
- Not checked yetcites Hurley et al., 2021
- Not checked yetcites Kelle, 1997
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
“Braun et al. (2019) specifically point to the similarities between their approach to thematic analysis with grounded theory, interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA), and the active role of the researcher in generating themes.”
§ A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis > Introduction
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites Braun et al., 2019
plaincorrelational- 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
“This method can act as a point of departure for any exploratory qualitative data analysis, when a researcher wishes to incorporate theoretical frameworks to guide the research findings.”
§ A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis > Conclusion
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
“Many researchers also cite Braun and Clarke (2006), yet within their methodology, there is no mention of researcher reflexivity central to their style of analysis.”
§ A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis A Guide to Abductive Thematic Analysis > Introduction
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites Braun and Clarke, 2006
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.
The paper relies on this without support.
Guides for abductive research designs are lacking.
“Yet, guides for abductive research designs are lacking.”
The paper relies on this without support.
There is limited discussion of an abductive approach to thematic analysis in the qualitative research literature.
“Yet, there is limited discussion of an abductive approach to thematic analysis in the qualitative research literature.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Coding is a cyclical act, as the first round of coding rarely succeeds in identifying all codes.
“Coding is a cyclical act, as the first round of coding rarely succeeds in identifying all codes and, therefore, it is recommended to undertake at least 2-3 rounds of coding.”
The paper relies on this without support.
When abductively analysing data, often reviewers will question if an academic has over-reached and whether theoretical contributions are truly representative of the raw data.
“When abductively analysing data, often reviewers will question if an academic has over-reached and whether theoretical contributions are truly representative of the raw data.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Even within top-ranked journals, data displays are often constructed simply using shape and arrow tools available within MS Word.
“However, even within top-ranked journals, data displays (such as that shown in Figure 3) are often constructed simply using shape and arrow tools available within MS Word”
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
“The placement students' reflections were focused on their collaborative experiences, and were analysed by academic researchers using an abductive approach (Thompson, 2022), to construct themes that are grounded in the data (inductive coding) but also informed by existing literature on SaP (deductive coding).”
From Co-creating custom GPTs: an autoethnographic study of undergraduate students as partners in generative AI innovation (2026) · cites this paper as Thompson, 2022
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
Citations
Cites
Using thematic analysis in psychology
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006) · Qualitative Research in Psychology · doi:10.1191/1478088706qp063oa · Cited by 194,414 · cited 15×
“At this point, some scholars have suggested researchers should make decisions upon which themes are overarching, which are primary/secondary, and which are sub-themes based on their importance to the study (Braun & Clarke, 2006).”
InfluentialQualitative Data Analysis: An Expanded Sourcebook
(1994) · Journal of Environmental Psychology · doi:10.1016/s0272-4944(05)80231-2 · Cited by 48,420 · cited 4×
“Data display is usually associated with reducing qualitative data into quantitative matrices to display data better visually (Boyatzis, 1998; Miles & Huberman, 1994).”
InfluentialLincoln, 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
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 2×
“…this flexibility has resulted in thematic analysis being employed with a “mishmash” of different approaches and divergent philosophies (Braun et al., 2019; Braun & Clarke, 2019), which has been detrimental to the credibility of thematic research designs (Lochmiller, 2021; Nowell et al., 2017).”
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Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2012) · APA handbook of research methods in psychology, Vol 2: Research designs: Quantitative, qualitative, neuropsychological, and biological. · doi:10.1037/13620-004 · Cited by 10,299
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 · cited 2×
“Figure 1 is an extract from a codebook, in which participants discussed their financial concerns: have disregarded the codebook as a positivistic tool (Braun et al., 2019; Braun & Clarke, 2021).”
Guest, G., MacQueen, K., & Namey, E. (2012) · doi:10.4135/9781483384436 · Cited by 7,924 · cited 20×
“Upon completion of Steps 1 through to 7, the findings should be written up with headings denoting each theme (Guest et al., 2012).”
InfluentialThematic networks: an analytic tool for qualitative research
Attride-Stirling, J. (2001) · Qualitative Research · doi:10.1177/146879410100100307 · Cited by 5,506 · cited 4×
“I have taken and adapted key concepts such as the codebook (Guest et al., 2012) and thematic network analysis (Attride-Stirling, 2001) from authors on thematic analysis.”
InfluentialCollected Papers of Charles Sanders Peirce
(1935) · Nature · doi:10.1038/135131a0 · Cited by 4,601
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Meinhausen, C., Fatehpuria, A., Bhangu, J., Edmondson, D. E., Kronish, I. M., Wilson, P. A., & Sumner, J. A. (2024) · Journal of Traumatic Stress · doi:10.1002/jts.23106
“In our analysis of the narratives, we employed an abductive thematic approach (Thompson, 2022), which incorporates the influence of both the empirical narrative data and extant theoretical understanding regarding risk and protective factors for PTSD and factors associated with stroke/TIA recovery.”
Alsop, M. A., Hambrick, M. E., Heitz, H. K., & Batley, P. N. (2024) · Musicae Scientiae · doi:10.1177/10298649241296499 · Cited by 2
“Data analysis consisted of an abductive approach similar to Thompson (2022), but tweaked to fit within the parameters of the larger study.”
Adversity and Resilience: The Stories of People Living With HIV in Ecuador
Zamora-Moncayo, E. C., Herrera, B., Camacho, J. F., Jiménez, A., Brown, S., & Troya, V. (2024) · Qualitative Health Research · doi:10.1177/10497323241292279
“This approach is particularly effective in capturing the nuanced interplay between individuals ’ experiences and broader theoretical insights, making it well-suited for investigating the complex phenomena of resilience and adversity (Thompson, 2022).”
Naraghi, N., & Ghazinoori, S. (2025) · Journal of Responsible Innovation · doi:10.1080/23299460.2024.2445363
“As Thompson discusses, abductive research is neither data-driven to induct nor theory-driven to deduct the theory; rather, it engages both data and theory (Thompson 2022).”
Wehden, S., Janda, K. B., Ohl, J., & Creutzig, F. (2025) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.5094226 · Cited by 1
Resilience in European R&D Collaborative Projects—A Complex Theory Framework Approach
Nihoul, J. A., Miralles, F., Neamtu, L., & Fernandez, J. (2025) · Information systems engineering and management · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-77806-3_12
Talking across purposes [sic] in social investing: Standardising boundary objects in times of crisis
Morley, J. (2025) · The British Accounting Review · doi:10.1016/j.bar.2025.101592
Geels, F., Mulayi, M.-L., & Laenen, T. (2025) · Journal of Industrial Relations · doi:10.1177/00221856251314134
“Our analytical journey was inspired by abductive thematic analysis (Atkinson et al., 2003; Thompson, 2022): this means that we both engaged with existing literature and raw empirical data to investigate our dataset and exert theoretical fi ndings.”
Augmented Reality Clinical Decision Support Decreases Cognitive Workload on Surgical Tasks
Cox, S., Caldwell, N. W., Sevigny, N., Luellen, D., Rivera, J., Samosorn, A., Williams, A., & Mike, S. (2025) · IEEE International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and eXtended and Virtual Reality (AIxVR) · doi:10.1109/aixvr63409.2025.00073
“We conducted a qualitative analysis to correlate user feedback with the dimensional workload findings [16].”
Wong, L. Y., Rixon, A., Sendjaya, S., & Wilson, S. G. (2025) · Journal of Vocational Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2025.104110
“In the later stages of interpretation (i.e., cross-case analysis), we engaged in abductive reasoning, drawing on extant theoretical understandings of identity threat to contextualize and enhance our interpretation of the data, thus refining our analysis (Thompson, 2022).”
Digital gaming as a proactive choice and a passive resource among older adults in China
Xu, W., Li, W., & Sandberg, H. (2025) · Chinese Journal of Communication · doi:10.1080/17544750.2025.2480058
“This approach enables the exploration of meaningful explanations for complex, multifaceted phenomena under investigation (Thompson, 2022).”
Dunand, N., Golay, P., Bonsack, C., Spagnoli, D., & Pomini, V. (2025) · Annales Médico-psychologiques revue psychiatrique · doi:10.1016/j.amp.2025.03.007
Laage‐Thomsen, J., & Ratner, H. (2025) · Politica · doi:10.7146/politica.v57i2.153262
Shabnam, J., & Raunkiær, M. (2025) · Health & Social Care in the Community · doi:10.1155/hsc/3480655
Detailed Comparison of Qualitative Methodologies
(2025) · IGI Global eBooks · doi:10.4018/979-8-3693-7200-5.ch004
Jaeger-Helton, B. K. (2025) · ASEE Northeast Section Meeting · doi:10.18260/1-2-1139-54999
From Academic to Professional English: Investigating Learning Transfer Between EAP and ESP Courses
Wang, F., & Xiao, Y. (2025) · Social Education Research · doi:10.37256/ser.6220256462
Exworthy, M., Gauly, J., Parsons, J., Green, K., & Murphy, N. (2025) · BMJ Leader · doi:10.1136/leader-2024-001000
Hacia una concepción pluralista y pragmática de los métodos científicos
Ortiz, J. C. M., & Suárez, A. B. (2025) · Ciencia e Ingeniería Neogranadina · doi:10.18359/rcin.7578
Geographical information ranges: conceptualising holistic information landscapes
Montague, K. E. (2025) · Information Research · doi:10.47989/ir30colis51910
Investigating User-Side Representatives in Large-Scale Agile Software Development
Moalagh, M., Svesengen, V., & Farshchian, B. A. (2025) · Lecture notes in business information processing · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-94544-1_7
An Exploratory Study of Esports Match-Fixing: Guardianship Failures and Situational Crime Prevention
Zohn, A. (2025) · International Criminology · doi:10.1007/s43576-025-00172-6
“Abductive analysis is recommended by several authors (Earl Rinehart, 2021; Thompson, 2022), and similar approaches of qualitative analysis have been used in esports research (Hesketh et al., 2020; Xen, 2017).”
Creative Problem-Solving: A Study With Blind and Low Vision Software Professionals
Kohl, K., Cha, Y., Jackson, V., Branham, S. M., van der Hoek, A., & Prikladnicki, R. (2025) · International Workshop on Cooperative and Human Aspects of Software Engineering (CHASE) · doi:10.1109/chase66643.2025.00014
“We used abductive analysis [39]; we inductively identifed some creativity-related themes from the data and were also informed by Amabile’s model of creativity to deduce some themes.”
Jones, M., Bennett, C., Bauer, J. D., McCartan, J., & Dart, J. (2025) · Nurse Education Today · doi:10.1016/j.nedt.2025.106803
Ko, E., Rose, K. M., Gordon, K. C., Kim, S., Gao, Y., Wang, P., Wijayasingha, L. N., Wang, H., Stankovic, J. A., & Wright, K. (2025) · Journal of Advanced Nursing · doi:10.1111/jan.70007
“Researchers can use this method to align the collected data with existing theories and bridge the gap between theory and reality when the existing literature or theory differs from the data explanation (Thompson 2022).”
InfluentialImplications of an Incomplete Gender Revolution for Low-Resourced Single Mothers in Sweden
Backman, L. (2026) · Social Politics International Studies in Gender State & Society · doi:10.1093/sp/jxag021
Sustainability Compliance in Business Networks: Behavioural Economics and Policy Design InsightsPreprint
Cinti, A., Amadei, A., Polinori, P., & Bigerna, S. (2025) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.5331518
“What Makes You Hack?”: Exploring Engagement and Disengagement in Corporate HackathonsPreprint
Šmite, D., Ulfsnes, R., Moe, N. B., Stray, V. G., Opland, L. E., & Tkalich, A. (2025) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.5348202
Emborg, C., Rossen, C. B., & Hestbæk, L. (2025) · Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice · doi:10.1111/jep.70134
Chaukos, D., Genus, S., Guimond, T., & Mylopoulos, M. (2025) · Learning Health Systems · doi:10.1002/lrh2.70028
“We utilize abductive thematic analysis 27 : in response to early data that showed increased generativity and engagement in collective inquiry amongst participants, we utilized the concept of Knowledge Building Communities (KBCs) and adaptive expertise to better understand our participant narratives.”
Kitsao-Wekulo, P., Haycraft, E., Mwoma, T. B., Okelo, K., Kinuthia, E., Muriuki, P. G., Onyango, S., Kimiywe, J. O., Wanjohi, M., Kimani-Murage, E. W., et al. (2025) · Journal of Child and Family Studies · doi:10.1007/s10826-025-03110-2
“Using an abductive approach (Thompson, 2022) which offered fl exibility in coding, we coded the data using pre-de fi ned codes that consisted of ideas, concepts, behaviors and interactions in order to classify all the data and make them easier to organize and retrieve.”
Preuss, L., Chhaparia, P., Arora, B., & Fischer, I. (2025) · Sustainability Accounting Management and Policy Journal · doi:10.1108/sampj-03-2024-0189
Ekornes, S. M., Holen, S., Ingul, J. M., Neumer, S., Adolfsen, F., & Bania, E. V. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1601780
Sustainability Policies in Business Networks: Insights from Behavioural Economic TheoryPreprint
Cinti, A., & Amadei, A. (2025) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.5354334
Mothers with current and former abusive partners: Needs and experiences during COVID ‐19
Blaus, K., Haselschwerdt, M. L., & Cares, A. C. (2025) · Family Relations · doi:10.1111/fare.70020
Market signalling by microenterprises when building reputational capital
Wang, D., Davies, G., & Lam, W. (2025) · International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal · doi:10.1007/s11365-025-01128-y
“According to the SCM, all humans will automatically assess a business on first contact for its perceived warmth, competence, and status (Kervyn et al., 2012, 2022 ).”
The Role of Corpus Linguistics in the Standardization of Scientific and Technical Terminology
Aliyeva, S., & Sadigova, N. (2025) · Open Research Europe · doi:10.12688/openreseurope.21170.1
Ahmed, H., Drescher, M., & Parker, D. C. (2025) · Urban forestry & urban greening · doi:10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129093
Brutto, L., Chen, A. Z., Pullen, R., Kyne, S. H., & George-Williams, S. (2025) · Chemistry Education Research and Practice · doi:10.1039/d5rp00284b
Fjeld, W., Holen, M. M., Klausen, S. W., & Martinsen, M. (2025) · Sex Education · doi:10.1080/14681811.2025.2572699
“We employed an abductive approach to address the research questions, integrating empirical data with theoretical understanding (Thompson 2022).”
CCUS and Local Social Perspectives
Stavrianakis, K., & Nielsen, J. A. E. (2025) · Open Research Europe · doi:10.12688/openreseurope.21237.1
The analysis of the social capital of the football ecosystem in Iran
Givi, B. N., Amin, P., Turkmani, E. M., Pourkiani, M., Dzioban, K., & Almasizadeh, S. (2025) · Soccer and Society · doi:10.1080/14660970.2025.2581701
Schmitz, R. M., Gomez, G., Sujet, P. S., Schachle, J., Hunger, K., Cost, K., & Chung, R. (2025) · Journal of American College Health · doi:10.1080/07448481.2025.2583202 · Cited by 1
“38,39 All coders engaged in reflexive practices such as internal memoing and collaborative critical feedback sessions throughout analyses to bracket out their varied positionalities and mitigate interpretive biases.”
Tracing Power in Multilingual Teacher and Learner Identity Construction
Ayvaz, B. Ç., Özpolat, E. A., Çomoğlu, İ., & Galloway, E. P. (2025) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-981-96-9278-1_18
Bergholtz, S. (2025) · doi:10.24834/isbn.9789178776900
Aviso, M., Tay, W. D.-A., Farwin, A., Durrance‐Bagale, A., Lam, S. T., Hayashi, M., Jacob-Chow, B., Marzouk, M., Liew, J. W. K., Clapham, H., et al. (2025) · BMJ Global Health · doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2025-019723
“Patients and the public were not involved in this study.”
Yang, Q., Zhu, D., Muroi, F., Yang, H., Chang, F., & Liu, Z. (2025) · Computers in Human Behavior Reports · doi:10.1016/j.chbr.2025.100875
Coping with a cost of living crisis in the English care home workforce: a qualitative study
Evans, S., Roper, L., Murray, N., Dean, A., & Giebel, C. M. (2025) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2025.2593969
Khotimah, K., Basthomi, Y., & Eliyanah, E. (2025) · rEFLections · doi:10.61508/refl.v32i3.285698
“This approach facilitated us to equally engage with the theoretical underlying and empirical data that are instrumental to gaining comprehensive understanding (Thompson, 2022).”
Macbeth, J. L., Sprake, A., & Grečić, D. (2025) · Journal of Sports Sciences · doi:10.1080/02640414.2025.2604958
“…for para-athletes need to be athlete-centred and account for variances in impairments, previous sporting experiences, readiness for training and competition, and different support and resources requirements during key development periods ( Dehghansai et al., 2017, 2022; Francis et al., 2023).”
InfluentialHuang, N. M., & Ho, S. S. (2025) · Science Communication · doi:10.1177/10755470251398722 · Cited by 1
Navigating stigma while balancing between the social and the commercial: An account of Clarity & Co
Pittaki, Z., & Li, X. (2025) · Business History · doi:10.1080/00076791.2025.2586071
Dawes, N., Graham, M., Taylor, J., Finlay, S. M., Ronto, R., Clarke, L., Wechkunanukul, K. H., Severinsen, C. A., Beek, K., Buka, E., et al. (2026) · Portuguese Journal of Public Health · doi:10.1159/000550358
An Integrative Review for Developing the Research Question Formulation Meta-framework
Moser, E. (2026) · Octopus · doi:10.57874/kh3m-3s54
Naskar, S. T. (2026) · Journal of Management History · doi:10.1108/jmh-08-2024-0129
A Systems Approach to the Dynamic Capabilities View: Putting the Pieces Together
Donaires, O. S., Cezarino, L. O., & Liboni, L. B. (2026) · Systemic Practice and Action Research · doi:10.1007/s11213-026-09757-2 · Cited by 1
“Abductive reasoning in TA allows a researcher to ground extant theoretical findings on raw qualitative data (Thompson 2022, p. 1419).”
Presti, C., Rigolini, A., & Corsi, K. (2026) · MANAGEMENT CONTROL · doi:10.3280/maco2025-003003
Sagheer, S., Aleti, T., & Gurrieri, L. (2026) · Consumption Markets & Culture · doi:10.1080/10253866.2026.2615292
“In our abductive thematic analysis, we incorporated “parallel and equal” (Thompson 2022, 1411) understandings of empirical data and theories of hegemonic and alternative masculinities.”
Muhtarom, Suparman, Ichwan, M. N., & Affandi, Y. (2026) · Pharos Journal of Theology · doi:10.46222/pharosjot.107.242 · Cited by 2
Metadata
- Authors
- Thompson, J.
- Affiliations
- Edinburgh Napier University (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Thompson, Jamie
- ORCID
- Thompson, Jamie
- Venue
- The Qualitative Report
- Publisher
- Nova Southeastern University
- Published
- 2022-05-20
- ISSN
- 1052-0147 (ISSN-L)
- 2160-3715
- OpenAlex
- W4280585239
- Semantic Scholar
- 2765f40bd6e8e0d8bc9c1eddbd129fba2be5cbad
- Cited by
- 493
- References
- 37
- Citations by year
- 2026: 131 · 2025: 174 · 2024: 124 · 2023: 58 · 2022: 6
- FWCI
- 195.27
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by-nc-sa
- Locations
- The Qualitative Report (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
- Edinburgh Napier Research Repository (Edinburgh Napier University) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
- NSUWorks (Nova Southeastern University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
- Research Output (Edinburgh Napier University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Education › Qualitative Research Methods and Applications
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Sociology and Education Studies
- Keywords
- abductive research, thematic analysis, qualitative data analysis, scientific rigor, research methodology
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