Which of the following statements accurately describe the process and purpose of thematic analysis in psychology? Select all that apply.

Thematic analysis is a method used in psychology to find, analyze, and describe patterns of meaning—called themes—within qualitative data, such as interview transcripts. Researchers start by reading the data carefully and coding interesting features, then they group similar codes to form broader themes that answer the research question. The purpose is to give a clear, organized picture of participants’ experiences or viewpoints, allowing researchers to see how people think or feel about a topic. For example, when studying how college students cope with stress, a researcher might code statements about “time pressure,” “social support,” and “self‑care,” then combine these into themes like “external pressures” and “personal coping strategies. ” This process helps psychologists interpret complex data in a systematic, transparent way.