Thematic analysis is to qualitative research as __________ is to quantitative research.

Thematic analysis is a way to find patterns and meanings in words, pictures, or interviews, which is what qualitative researchers do. In quantitative research, the parallel technique is statistical analysis, where numbers are examined to see relationships, differences, or trends. Both approaches let researchers turn raw data into clear results, but one works with text or images, the other with numbers. For example, a psychologist might use thematic analysis to discover common feelings in a group of patients, while using statistical analysis to test whether a new therapy reduces anxiety scores more than an old therapy.