Arrange the following steps in the correct order of understanding epistemological and ontological positions in thematic analysis: A. Identify the research question, B. Choose an epistemological stance, C. Analyze the data, D. Establish the ontological position.

To understand epistemological and ontological positions in thematic analysis, you first identify the research question, because it tells you what you want to know. Next, you choose an epistemological stance, deciding how knowledge is gathered and interpreted. Then you establish the ontological position, clarifying what you believe actually exists in your study. Finally, you analyze the data, applying the chosen stances to interpret and code the material. For example, if you ask how teachers experience remote learning, you might adopt a constructivist epistemology and a relativist ontology before coding interview transcripts.