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Using thematic analysis in psychology
Virginia Braun, Victoria Clarke. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 2006
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Thematic analysis is a poorly demarcated, rarely acknowledged, yet widely used qualitative analytic method within psychology. In this paper, we argue that it offers an accessible and theoretically flexible approach to analysing qualitative data. We outline what thematic analysis is, locating it in relation to other qualitative analytic methods that search for themes or patterns, and in relation to different epistemological and ontological positions. We then provide clear guidelines to those wanting to start thematic analysis, or conduct it in a more deliberate and rigorous way, and consider potential pitfalls in conducting thematic analysis. Finally, we outline the disadvantages and advantages of thematic analysis. We conclude by advocating thematic analysis as a useful and flexible method for qualitative research in and beyond psychology.
Why it matters
A methods paper on thematic analysis, a way of analysing qualitative data in psychology. It explains what the method is, gives guidelines for carrying it out, and weighs its advantages and disadvantages. It is not about Alzheimer's disease.
How this study scored 51/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it. We have no data on strength of evidence, so that was left out: it earned 48 of the 95 points we could judge it on, which is 51 out of 100.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Qualitative Research in Psychology) |
| Journal's citation record | 0 / 4 | Qualitative Research in Psychology: journal h-index 73 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | — / 5 | No evidence rating recorded — left out of this score |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2006 — older than 20 years, still counted |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 7 / 7 | Cited 191,712 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 5 / 5 | 8,714.2 citations a year over 22 year(s) since 2006 |
| Impact for its field and year | 6 / 6 | Cited 1,002.7× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 4 / 4 | Cited 77,387 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Victoria Clarke: h-index 58 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | University of Auckland: institution h-index 788 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 2 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 1 / 2 | Not in PubMed, but has a DOI |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Points | 48 / 95 | Scored on 19 of 20 parts. We have no data for the rest, so they are left out: 48 of the 95 points we could judge it on is 51 out of 100. |
| Total | 51 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
- Original source →
- Free full text: Qualitative Research in Psychology →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Vancouver
Braun V, Clarke V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology. 2006. doi:10.1191/1478088706qp063oa.
BibTeX
@article{braun2006-f571686d,
author = {Braun, Virginia and Clarke, Victoria},
title = {{Using thematic analysis in psychology}},
journal = {Qualitative Research in Psychology},
year = {2006},
doi = {10.1191/1478088706qp063oa},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa}
}
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