Cited by 1,206Qualitative Research Methods and ApplicationsQualitative Research Methods and EthicsData Analysis and Archiving

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 12 of the 12 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; none of the 18 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.

Qualitative data analysis: the framework approach

Open access
Smith, Joanna, Firth, Jill·2011·Nurse Researcher

Abstract

Qualitative methods are invaluable for exploring the complexities of health care and patient experiences in particular. Diverse qualitative methods are available that incorporate different ontological and epistemological perspectives. One method of data management that is gaining in popularity among healthcare researchers is the framework approach. We will outline this approach, discuss its relative merits and provide a working example of its application to data management and analysis.

Overview

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Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This methodological article outlines the framework approach to qualitative data analysis and illustrates its application using a doctoral study of parents managing a child’s hydrocephalus and shunt. It argues that the framework approach offers a transparent, systematic, interconnected set of stages that can enhance rigour in healthcare qualitative research.

Key findings

  • The framework approach is presented as particularly suited to cross-sectional descriptive data and to making researchers’ interpretations of participants’ experiences transparent, with interconnected stages that guide analysis from data management to descriptive and explanatory accounts.
  • In the worked example, the coding matrix was developed from four family interview transcripts, and the analysis produced three core concepts: uncertainty, becoming an expert, and living a normal life.
  • Parents’ lack of control over preventing shunt malfunction positioned them in the typology described as overwhelming uncertainty, one of four possible typologies from Penrod (2007): overwhelming uncertainty, role uncertainty, pervasive uncertainty, and minimal uncertainty.
  • The authors report that the framework approach helped retain links between original data and findings, supported case-based and theme-based analysis, and enabled tracking of analytical decisions.

Methods

  • Design: Methodological overview and worked example of the framework approach, drawing on a doctoral study by one author (JS) investigating parents’ management of their child’s hydrocephalus and shunt.
  • Data/sample: In-depth face-to-face interviews with parents, conducted individually or jointly, using an interview topic guide; interviews were transcribed verbatim. The initial coding matrix was developed from four family interview transcripts selected to represent a range of experiences, including one family whose older child had no shunt problems.
  • Analysis: Applied the framework approach described by Ritchie and Lewis (2003), involving familiarisation, in-vivo coding, category and theme development, a coding index, NVivo-assisted data management, refinement of themes, development of abstract concepts, and explanatory accounts linked to existing literature and theory.

Limitations

  • The paper does not present a formal limitations section. It states that novice researchers may underestimate the time required for early analytical stages, that part-time students can find it difficult to re-engage with data after time away, and that software and training costs for the National Centre for Social Research package need to be factored into funding applications.
  • Evident from the text: the worked example comes from a single doctoral study, and the initial coding matrix used only four family interview transcripts; the total sample size and participant characteristics are not reported.
  • Evident from the text: the article offers a methodological illustration rather than an empirical comparison or formal evaluation of the framework approach against other qualitative analysis methods.

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Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.7748/nr2011.01.18.2.52.c8284

Cites

12 of 12 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

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Verification

Claims the paper makes

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Show all 8 claims

  • It may state two separate claims as one. 9
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 22
25 of 25
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The framework approach is gaining popularity among healthcare researchers as a means of analysing qualitative data derived from healthcare research.

    “One method of data analysis that appears to be gaining popularity among healthcare researchers is the framework approach.”
    “More recently, the framework approach appears to be gaining popularity as a means of analysing qualitative data derived from healthcare research.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Ensuring data analysis is explicitly described enhances the credibility of the findings.

    “Ensuring data analysis is explicitly described enhances the credibility of the findings.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Qualitative approaches are appropriate for exploring the complexities of health and well-being and can facilitate a deep understanding of the patient experience.

    “Qualitative approaches are appropriate for exploring the complexities of health and well-being and can facilitate a deep understanding of the patient experience.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Shunts, the main treatment for hydrocephalus, are prone to malfunctioning, which for some children can be life threatening.

    “Shunts, the main treatment for hydrocephalus, are problematic in that they are prone to malfunctioning which for some children can be life threatening.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Detecting shunt failure is not straightforward because the signs and symptoms are variable, subtle and often idiosyncratic to the individual child.

    “Detecting shunt failure is not straightforward because the signs and symptoms are variable, subtle and often idiosyncratic to the individual child.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Common symptoms such as headache, vomiting, and drowsiness are similar presenting symptoms of many childhood illnesses, particularly viral infections.

    “Common symptoms such as headache, vomiting, and drowsiness are similar presenting symptoms of many childhood illnesses, particularly viral infections.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The framework approach has many similarities to thematic analysis, particularly in the initial stages when recurring and significant themes are identified.

    “The framework approach has many similarities to thematic analysis, particularly in the initial stages when recurring and significant themes are identified.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Remaining true to participants' descriptions is a fundamental principle within the framework approach and central when developing more abstract concepts.

    “Remaining true to participants' descriptions is a fundamental principle within the framework approach and central when developing more abstract concepts.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The interconnected stages within the framework approach explicitly describe the processes that guide the systematic analysis of data from the development of descriptive to explanatory accounts.

    “The interconnected stages within the framework approach explicitly describe the processes that guide the systematic analysis of data from the development of descriptive to explanatory accounts.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The early stages of qualitative data analysis are essential if the findings are to be credible.

    “Yet these stages are essential if the findings are to be credible.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Detailed published examples describing the stages of data analysis have the potential to assist the novice researcher to develop the skills required to undertake qualitative data analysis.

    “In addition detailed published examples describing the stages of the data analysis have the potential to assist the novice researcher to develop the skills required to undertake qualitative data analysis.”
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Citations

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Show all 12 references

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Morse JM, Richards L (2002) Read me first for a users guide to qualitative methods. Sage Publications, London
  2. Pope C, Ziebland S, Mays N (2000) Qualitative research in healthcare: analysing qualitative data. British Medical Journal 320: 114 - 116

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Metadata

Authors
Smith, J., & Firth, J.
Affiliations
  • University of Salford (GB)
  • University of Leeds (GB)
Venue
Nurse Researcher
Publisher
RCNi
Published
2011-01-21
Volume
18
Issue
2
Pages
52-62
ISSN
  • 1351-5578 (ISSN-L)
  • 2047-8992
OpenAlex
W1974294929
Cited by
1,206
References
12
Citations by year
2026: 61 · 2025: 75 · 2024: 107 · 2023: 117 · 2022: 102 · 2021: 142 · 2020: 138 · 2019: 85 · 2018: 89 · 2017: 82 · 2016: 61 · 2015: 67 · 2014: 41 · 2013: 26 · 2012: 8
FWCI
120.44
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Nurse Researcher (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • University of Huddersfield Repository (University of Huddersfield) (acceptedVersion)
  • University of Salford Institutional Repository (University of Salford) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
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 › Data Analysis and Archiving
Keywords
framework approach, qualitative data analysis, data management, health care research, patient experience
MeSH terms
Humans, Patients, Qualitative Research

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