How Themescape works

From a coded spreadsheet to a thematic map you can refine and present, without installing anything or sending your data anywhere.

Try the live demoGet the spreadsheet template
ViewWorkPresentViewWorkPresentBoundaries andOverworkBlurredhoursNo offswitchEmail atnightWeekendworkBoundaries and OverworkExit Present mode

Where Themescape fits in thematic analysis

Themescape displays and refines the coding you have already done. It does not create codes, analyse data or use AI. Researchers move back and forth between these phases rather than in strict order.

  1. 01

    Familiarising yourself with the dataset

  2. 02

    Coding

  3. 03

    Generating initial themes

    Group related codes into candidate themes. In Themescape, drag related codes together on the map and watch the groupings take shape.

  4. 04

    Developing and reviewing themes

    Check each theme against the coded data and the whole set. Move, merge and rename themes on the map and read the quotes behind each one until it holds.

  5. 05

    Refining, defining and naming themes

    Write a clear definition and choose the quotes that show each theme best. In Themescape, open each theme to write its working definition and mark its strongest quotes.

  6. 06

    Writing up

    Present the map and its quotes in your thesis, paper or slides. Switch to Present mode and export the map as a figure.

Three steps, start to finish

Everything happens in your browser. The spreadsheet is yours, the viewer reads it on your own computer, and what you refine goes back to the spreadsheet when you are done.

  1. Code in the template

    Put your themes, codes and sub-codes, their working definitions, the participants and the verbatim quotes into the Themescape spreadsheet, one row per coded quote. A refined quote column is optional, for presentation wording. If you code in NVivo, MAXQDA or ATLAS.ti, import the project file instead; from other software, bring the coding across as CSV.

    Get the spreadsheet template
    DataFrameworkConnectionsSettingsDataFrameworkConnectionsSettingsquote_idparticipantquotethemecode

  2. Load the file

    Open the viewer and choose your files. They are read in your browser, on your own computer, and nothing is sent anywhere. Save progress files to carry on next time. The Google Sheets mode is opt in, for non-sensitive data only.

    Read about privacy and data
    Load your dataDrop CSV files hereOnly the Data file is required. The rest are optional.Read in your browserBoundaries andOverworkBlurredhoursNo offswitchEmail atnightWeekendwork

  3. Explore, refine and present

    Move through your themes in three views and read the quotes behind each one. In Work mode, refine definitions and mark the quotes that show each theme best. In Present mode, show the map to a supervisor, a panel or a conference, then export the refined quotes back to your spreadsheet.

    Try the live demo
    ViewWorkPresentViewWorkPresentBoundaries andOverworkBlurredhoursNo offswitchEmail atnightWeekendworkBoundaries and OverworkExit Present mode

Works beside your coding software

Keep coding in NVivo, ATLAS.ti, MAXQDA or a spreadsheet. Themescape sits beside them as the visualisation layer and replaces none of them. Your coding comes across through the spreadsheet template, a CSV export or a project file from NVivo, MAXQDA or ATLAS.ti.

Get the spreadsheet templateHow it works

Three views of one map

The same themes shown three ways. Each view suits a different stage of the analysis, and you can switch between them at any time.

Boundaries andOverworkBlurredhoursNo offswitchEmail atnightWeekendwork
Working WellTheme 1Theme 2Theme 3
Boundaries and Overwork14Blurred hours8Replying at night3Weekend checks2No off switch6Wellbeing and Burnout9Running on empty5Sleep4Visibility and Trust7Blurred hours
See the node networkSee the hierarchySee the file tree

Show relationships between themes

Lines between themes are connections. Themescape draws two kinds, Empirical and Theoretical, and either can carry an arrow where one thing leads to another. You draw them yourself in Work mode, and every connection carries a note you can read on hover.

EmpiricalBoth carry the codeBlurred Work Hours.TheoreticalLinked through Hobfoll'sconservation of resources.DirectionVisibility pressure feedsthe loss of autonomy.

Three modes, one thematic map

View to explore, Work to refine, Present to show. Open a mode to see it, then read about it on its own page.

Work mode

Write working definitions, star favourite quotes, add and edit connections with their notes, and arrange the map while every tool stays in view.

See Work mode
Boundaries andOverworkBlurredhoursNo offswitchEmail atnightWeekendwork+ Add branchCustom placementBoundaries and Overwork

Your data stays with you

Themescape reads your data in the browser. The host never receives it.

  • Read locally

    Transcripts and quotes are read locally and never leave the machine.

  • Nothing to submit

    No file submission or permanent storage is required.

  • Quotes untouched

    Verbatim quotes are never altered, with a separate refined column for presentation wording.

  • Sheets is opt in

    The Google Sheets mode is opt in, for non-sensitive data only.

Read about privacy and data
Your file. Your browser. Your screen. Nothing travels to Themescape.

Resources for your analysis

Guides, templates and answers, written for researchers using reflexive thematic analysis.

All resources
BlogArticles on thematic analysis, figures and writing up.Open →TutorialsShort guides to each part of the viewer.Open →FAQAnswers on data, pricing and the spreadsheet.Open →Spreadsheet templateThe template the viewer reads, with an example.Open →Form templatesWording for ethics applications, information sheets and consent forms.Open →GlossaryTerms used in thematic analysis and in Themescape.Open →Figure galleryExample figures for theses, articles and slides.Open →Privacy and dataWhat to tell an ethics committee or an IT reviewer.Open →

Common questions

Short answers to what researchers ask most. The FAQ page has the rest.

See all questions

Do I still need my coding software?

Yes, if you use one. Themescape works alongside coding software such as NVivo, MAXQDA and ATLAS.ti and replaces none of it. Keep coding where you code, then bring the result in through the spreadsheet template or Import from your coding software, which changes nothing in your project.

Do I need to install anything?

No. Themescape runs in your web browser, so there is nothing to install. Open it, load your files and the map appears. Your files are read in the browser on your own computer.

Does Themescape use AI?

No. Themescape displays and refines the coding you have already done. It does not create codes, suggest themes or connections, analyse your data or use AI. Every theme, code, definition and link on the map is yours.

Is there a free trial?

Yes. The Student and Researcher plans start with a 7 day free trial, and you pay by card after it. Team and organisation plans are bought by the semester or the year.

See your own themes come to life

Try the live demo or start a 7 day free trial. Your data is read in your browser and never leaves your computer.

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