Theme

In more detail

In reflexive thematic analysis a theme is more than a topic. Braun and Clarke describe a theme as a pattern of shared meaning held together by a central organising concept: the idea that makes a set of codes belong together. A theme says something about the data in relation to the research question, rather than listing everything participants said about a subject.

Themes are developed by the researcher. They do not sit in the data waiting to be found, and they are not the same as the questions in an interview schedule. They are generated from codes in phase 3, reviewed against the coded data and the whole dataset in phase 4, then refined, defined and named in phase 5. A theme often changes shape several times before the write up.

A useful check is whether the theme can be stated in a sentence or two that someone else could apply. If the only thing holding the quotes together is that they mention the same topic, it may be a topic summary rather than a theme.

In Themescape

Each theme is a solid circle in its own colour on the node network, a coloured row in the file tree and a top level box in the hierarchy. Everything beneath a theme takes a lighter fill of its colour. Themes come from the theme column of the Data tab, and their working definitions from the Framework tab.

A short example

Where to read more

Article: Writing working definitions that survive review ›

See your themes as a node network ›

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2019). Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 11(4), 589–597.

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2022). Thematic analysis: A practical guide. SAGE.