A worked example of contextualising and using reflexive thematic analysis in nursing research

Evidence and practice
A worked example of contextualising and using reflexive thematic analysis in nursing research
Emma Rowland Lecturer in emotional geographies of health, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, King’s College London, London, England
Anna Conolly Lecturer, health sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, England
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Why you should read this article:
To support the use of reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) in analysing qualitative systematic reviews and empirical data.

To review your understanding of RTA to analyse nursing research within the context of wider methodological and methods considerations.

To explore practical examples of RTA in nursing research.

Background A researcher must consider their research question within their world view before selecting a technique appropriate for analysing their data. This will affect their choices of methodology and methods for collecting and analysing data. Reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) has become a go-to technique for qualitative nurse researchers. However, the justifications for using it and its application in the context of a wider approach are under-discussed.

Aim To rationalise the use of RTA within a wider philosophical-methodological-methods-analysis approach and provide nurse researchers with practical guidance about how to apply it to qualitative data.

Discussion This article conceptually grounds the seminal work of Braun and Clarke (2006) and provides a process for rigorously and systematically analysing qualitative data. Researchers undertaking qualitative research must use a rigorous philosophical-methodological-method-analysis approach. Before selecting a technique appropriate for analysing their data, they must consider their research question within their own world view. This has implications for their choice of methodology and consequently the data collection methods and analysis techniques they use. Researchers should be mindful of RTA’s conceptual roots when applying it.

Conclusion Transparent and rigorous data analysis leads to credible findings, supports evidence-based practice and contributes to the growing body of nursing research. Within the context of the wider philosophical-methodological-methods-analysis approach, RTA produces high-quality, credible findings when applied well.

Implications for practice This article can guide nursing students and novice researchers in choosing and applying RTA to their research.