Data Explication

In this study, the thematic analysis guided the researchers to further saturate the results

for it to be interpreted by a series of coding starting from the general to specific. Thematic

analysis is a method that teaches people how to create thematic codes that they may use to

analyze and comprehend persons, communities, organizations, events or culture. (Alhojailan,

2012; Boyatzis, 1998; Javadi & Zarea, 2016). The researchers followed Braun & Clarke’s (2006)

6-step framework. This is arguably the most influential approach, in the social sciences at least,

probably because it offers such a clear and usable framework for doing thematic analysis

(Stranges 2014).

Thematic Analysis is considered the most appropriate for any study that seeks to discover

using interpretations. It provides a systematic element to data analysis. It allows the researcher to

associate an analysis of the frequency of a theme with one of the whole content (Alhojailan &

Ibrahim, 2012). There are many different ways to approach thematic analysis. However, this

variety means there is also some confusion about the nature of thematic analysis, including how

it is distinct from a qualitative content analysis (Clarke & Braun, 2013).

Braun & Clarke (2006) provide a six-phase guide which is a very useful framework for

conducting this kind of analysis: Step 1: Become familiar with the data, Step 2: Generate initial

codes, Step 3: Search for themes, Step 4: Review themes, Step 5: Define themes, Step 6: Write-

up. As the researchers analyze the given data, they will move from one step to the next, however

the phases are not necessarily linear. The researchers may move forward and back between them,

perhaps many times, particularly if dealing with a lot of complex data.

interpretative qualitative studies. It should be noted that even the way a comma is placed can

changed the meaning perceived from a content. This is very difficult and time consuming but

highly valuable and familiarization with the data occurs during it.

The researchers familiarized the data through listening to the recorded interview and

reading the transcribed data. Familiarizing with the data was first observed then researchers

began to transcribe the data collected and commenced familiarization. To establish familiarity,

the researchers continued to scan and read the stored transcriptions of interview.

Generate Initial Codes. In this phase we start to organize our data in a meaningful and

systematic way. Coding reduces lots of data into small chunks of meaning. There are different

ways to code and the method was determined by your perspective and research questions.

According to King (2004) during coding, researchers identify important sections of text and

attach labels to index them as they relate to a theme or issue in the data. This phase involves the

initial production of codes from the data, a theorizing activity that requires the researchers to

keep revisiting the data. Qualitative coding is a process of reflection and a way of interacting

with and thinking about data (Savage, 2000). Coding allows the researcher to simplify and focus

on specific characteristics of the data (Kiger & Varpio, 2020).

In this phase, the researchers provide a credible transcription through encoding and

cleaning the data. Researchers used a Microsoft Excel to work with large number of texts. The

researchers team enhanced the Units of the Meaning with full and equal attention to each data

cell by providing a word or phrase that describes each data.

significant or interesting about the data and/or research question. As Braun & Clarke (2006)

explain, there are no hard and fast rules about what makes a theme. A theme is characterized by

its significance. The searching for themes step involves considering how relevant codes should

be sorted, collated and combined to form an overarching theme (Javadi & Zarea, 2016). King

(2004) suggested, when searching for themes, the best place to start is with a few predefined

codes to help guide analysis. However, he warned that starting with too many predefined codes

may prevent the consideration of data that conflicts with previously made assumptions, and

starting with too few predefined codes may leave researchers lacking in any direction and feeling

overwhelmed by the amounts of complex data (Nowell et al., 2017).

This step would be implemented after the researchers had identified the keywords and

conducted an organized search of the text for occurrences of the word or phrase. The researchers

identified the cluster of meanings from the units of meanings which has a similar meaning into a

theme. Researchers also determined initial themes from the statement by gathering similar

themes from the clustered meaning created. The researchers also generate a final theme in which

the researchers concluded the final extracted codes of the theme from the gathered phrases in the

initial themes.

Review themes. The fourth phase begins once a set of themes has been devised, and they

now require refinement (Braun & Clarke, 2018). During this phase, researchers review the coded

data extracts for each theme to consider whether they appear to form a coherent pattern. The

validity of individual themes will be considered to determine whether the themes accurately

reflect the meanings evident in the data set as a whole (Braun & Clarke, 2019). In the course of

this phase, inadequacies in the initial coding and themes will be revealed and may require
various changes (King, 2004). If the researcher identifies a relevant issue in the text not covered

by an existing code, a new code may be inserted. If the researcher has found no need to use a

code or if it substantially overlaps with other codes, it may be deleted (King, 2004). The need for

recoding from the data set is to be expected, as coding is an ongoing organic process (Braun &

Clarke, 2006). Data within themes should cohere together meaningfully, while there should be

clear and identifiable distinctions between themes. In this step, additional codes from different

portions of the transcripts were incorporated into the theme and its sub-themes (Javadi & Zarea,

2016).

This step, the researchers read the data connected with each topic and determined if these

are supported by the data. Researchers also analyze how the themes function inside a single

interview as well as across all interviews. The themes should be consistent and different from

one another. The researchers would also consider different points to ensure that the themes are

consistent and connected with the data. These points ensures that the themes make sense, the

data aligned with the themes, the number of data in the themes, if it has a subtheme within the

theme and lastly, if there are any additional themes in the data.

Define themes. Braun and Clarke suggested that theme names need to be punchy and

immediately give the reader a sense of what the theme is about. Sections of data may be included

in multiple themes with some overlap between themes (Pope, Ziebland, & Mays, 2000). At this

stage, researchers may consider how each theme fits into the overall story about the entire data

set in relation to the research questions (Braun & Clarke, 2006). King (2004) advised that it is

possible to go on modifying and refining definitions of themes forever, and one of the most

difficult decisions to make is where to stop the process of development.

research team deal with the same data where the outcomes are compared. Research team was

divided into two groups and made their own step-wise replication. After the final themes of each

team, the data was compared with each other. Through searching, comparing and reviewing the

results from the two groups of researchers, the themes are identified.

Write-up. Thorne (2000) encouraged researchers to clearly communicate the logical

processes by which findings were developed in a way that is accessible to a critical reader, so the

claims made in relation to the data set are rendered credible and believable. Halpren (1983)

recommended that researchers keep methodological notes, trustworthiness notes, and audit trail

notes to ease the reporting process. King (2004) suggested that direct quotes from participants

are an essential component of the final report. Short quotes may be included to aid in the

understanding of specific points of interpretation and demonstrate the prevalence of the themes

(Elliott, 2018). More extensive passages of quotation may be included to give readers a flavor of

the original texts. Extracts of raw data need to be embedded within the analytic narrative to

illustrate the complex story of the data, going beyond a description of the data and convincing

the reader of the validity and merit of the analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006).

The researcher team began writing the final report after the theme had been identified and

named. This is where the researchers presented their findings and interpretation of the data. After

the analyzation and interpreting the data, the researcher began to write the final report.