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Analyzing Data: Approaches to Thematic Analysis

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Healthcare Simulation Research

Abstract

In this chapter, we focus our attention on qualitative research related to healthcare simulation. This chapter explores two related approaches to analysing qualitative data – thematic analysis and qualitative content analysis. Both of these methods are commonly used in qualitative research, and are considered relatively accessible forms of analysis. We provide a logical approach to their use offering references and a worked example. In addition to introducing the each method, we discuss how to ensure rigour and trustworthiness in your research. These issues form an essential part of any qualitative approach.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Medical Education, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, UK

    Gerard J. Gormley, Grainne P. Kearney & Jennifer L. Johnston

  2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA

    Aaron W. Calhoun

  3. Monash Institute for Health and Clinical Education, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia

    Debra Nestel

  4. Austin Hospital, Department of Surgery, Melbourne Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia

    Debra Nestel

Authors
  1. Gerard J. Gormley
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  2. Grainne P. Kearney
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  3. Jennifer L. Johnston
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  4. Aaron W. Calhoun
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  5. Debra Nestel
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Aaron W. Calhoun .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Monash Institute for Health and Clinical Education, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia

    Debra Nestel

  2. Emergency Medicine, Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Joshua Hui

  3. Department of Surgery, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Kevin Kunkler

  4. Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA

    Mark W. Scerbo

  5. Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA

    Aaron W. Calhoun

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Gormley, G.J., Kearney, G.P., Johnston, J.L., Calhoun, A.W., Nestel, D. (2019). Analyzing Data: Approaches to Thematic Analysis. In: Nestel, D., Hui, J., Kunkler, K., Scerbo, M., Calhoun, A. (eds) Healthcare Simulation Research. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26837-4_19

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