In thematic analysis, which of the following best describes the process of interpreting qualitative data to identify patterns or themes?

In thematic analysis you read through the data, coding interesting parts, and then group similar codes to form larger ideas. These larger ideas become themes that capture important patterns in the data. The researcher continually checks that the themes accurately reflect the original data and refine them as needed. This process turns raw, qualitative information into clear, interpretable patterns that answer the research question. For example, interview transcripts about stress might reveal themes like “time pressure,” “lack of support,” and “coping strategies.