Stage 4 · PresentingTutorial 17 of 21 · 8 minutes · Written

Choose a starting layout and arrange a figure

Start a Build mode figure from one of the figure styles, then move, shape, align and group its parts. Build mode is in beta.

Open the live demoDownload the template
  • What you needA loaded project.
  • How longAbout eight minutes.
  • At the endA figure arranged the way you want it, ready to tidy and export.

Step by step

The same steps as the video, written out so you can follow at your own pace.

Steps
  1. Choose a starting layout
  2. Move what you need to
  3. Shape nodes and branches
  4. Line things up
  5. Add frames, notes and influence

Choose a starting layout

The first time Build opens for a project, choose a starting layout: Node network, with themes and their codes around them; Hierarchy, a chart from your project down to your codes; or File tree, your themes and codes as an ordered list. Each figure style keeps its own built figure.

Tip: You can open a layout file you saved earlier instead.

Move what you need to

In Build everything is yours to move. Select nodes and drag them where they belong.

Shape nodes and branches

Use the Build tools panel to change node shapes and sizes, and branch shapes, from straight to curved, elbow or arc, solid or dashed. A node never gets smaller than its words.

Line things up

Align row lines up the selected nodes at the same height in Node network, and Align column lines them up one above the other. Lock keeps selected nodes from being moved by accident.

Add frames, notes and influence

Frame draws a dashed frame with a label around selected nodes, Note adds text to the figure, and arrowheads and plus or minus signs show direction and influence.

Your path

Every tutorial in order. This one is marked, and the ones you finish fill in.

  1. Getting started

    From the template or an NVivo project to your first map, and saving it as files you keep.

    0 of 3 done
    1. Load your first fileMake a copy of the template, code a few rows, and open them in the viewer to see your first map.Getting started10 minutesOpen the tutorial
    2. Save your progress and carry on laterThemescape keeps no copy of your project. Save your work as files on your computer and load them next time.Getting started5 minutesOpen the tutorial
    3. Import a project from NVivo, MAXQDA or ATLAS.tiExport your NVivo, MAXQDA or ATLAS.ti project in the REFI-QDA format and import it, so your coding opens as a map without retyping.Getting started8 minutesOpen the tutorial

  2. Exploring

    Reading the map in its three views, opening themes in the reader and searching your project.

    0 of 3 done
    1. Move between the three viewsThe node network, the hierarchy and the file tree show the same coding. Learn what each one shows and when to reach for it.Exploring6 minutesOpen the tutorial
    2. Read a theme's definition and quotesSelect any theme or code to read its working definition, the participants behind it and its quotes, without leaving the map.Exploring5 minutesOpen the tutorial
    3. Search across codes, themes and quotesFind the theme, code or line of quote text you remember, and go straight to it on the map.Exploring4 minutesOpen the tutorial

  3. Refining

    Definitions, favourite quotes and connections in Work mode, and restructuring themes in the spreadsheet.

    0 of 7 done
    1. Edit definitions and favourite quotes in Work modeRewrite working definitions beside the quotes they account for, star your strongest evidence, and save the changes as files.Refining8 minutesOpen the tutorial
    2. Record connections between themesDraw the links you see between themes, codes and sub-codes, each marked Empirical or Theoretical, with a note on why.Refining7 minutesOpen the tutorial
    3. Merge, split and rename themesRestructure your analysis in the spreadsheet, where the coding lives, then load the files again to see the new shape.Refining8 minutesOpen the tutorial
    4. Arrange the map with Custom placementPut themes and codes where they make sense to you, in each view, and keep the arrangement in your layout file.Refining5 minutesOpen the tutorial
    5. Load a published model and check the mappingMap your coded data into a published model or framework, and check how it maps before you open the model.Refining8 minutesOpen the tutorial
    6. Change relationships and keep a reflexive logIn Model mode's Work mode, add relationships found in your data, adjust the published ones, and record why in the reflexive log.Refining8 minutesOpen the tutorial
    7. Try arrangements of a modelMove a model's top level parts to new rows and columns, save the arrangement under a name, and compare it with others.Refining5 minutesOpen the tutorial

  4. Presenting

    Present mode, figures from Build mode and taking your changes back to the spreadsheet.

    0 of 5 done
    1. Present to a supervisor or a panelHide the tools and walk through your themes, bringing your favourite quotes forward as you talk.Presenting5 minutesOpen the tutorial
    2. Make a figure in Build modeTurn a figure style into a finished figure, set its colours and export it for a thesis, article or poster. Build mode is in beta.Presenting10 minutesOpen the tutorial
    3. Bring your changes back into your spreadsheetTake the definitions, favourites and connections you refined in Themescape back into your coding workbook, in the same format.Presenting6 minutesOpen the tutorial
    4. Choose a starting layout and arrange a figureStart a Build mode figure from one of the figure styles, then move, shape, align and group its parts. Build mode is in beta.Presenting8 minutesOpen the tutorial
    5. Undo, Reset, Fit and Show hidden in Build modeHide what a figure does not need, undo a step, start again from the starting layout, and fit the figure to the screen.Presenting5 minutesOpen the tutorial

  5. Guided analysis

    For Student plans: working through Braun and Clarke's Phases 3 to 5 in Themescape for students.

    0 of 3 done
    1. Start guided analysis, and come backOn a Student plan, take your project into guided analysis in Themescape for students, save your progress, and return to the main viewer.Guided analysis5 minutesOpen the tutorial
    2. Generate and review themes in guided analysisPhase 3 sorts your codes into piles of candidate themes. Phase 4 reviews each candidate against its quotes and the whole dataset.Guided analysis10 minutesOpen the tutorial
    3. Refine, define and name themes in guided analysisPhase 5 gives each theme a name, a central organising concept and a definition, sets the order of your write up and confirms each theme.Guided analysis8 minutesOpen the tutorial

Common questions

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

See all questions

What does beta mean for Build mode?

Build mode works, and it is still being tested, so its controls may change. Feedback on it is welcome through the contact page.

Can I make a figure for my thesis or a paper?

Yes. Choose Export, then Figure for publication, or Export figure in Build mode's tools. Pick what to show, a referencing style (APA 7th, MLA 9th or Chicago 18th), a width and a file type: PNG or JPG at 300 or 600 dpi, or a vector PDF that stays sharp at any size. Quotes are never included in figures, and a figure should carry no names that could identify a participant.

Can I change a figure after exporting it?

Yes, by exporting again. Figure export draws the figure from your map or your built figure as it stands, so change it and export a new file. For a figure built in Build mode, use Save layout so you can open it again later with Open layout.

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.

Try the live demoStart 7 day free trial