A critical realist approach to thematic analysis

Producing Causal Explanations

Bibliographic Data

ID8087124
AuthorsT Bruce Fryer (0000-0003-0694-3504, Ellen Wilkinson Building, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume21
Issue4
Pages365-384
Publication date2022-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Critical Realism (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1476-7430 • E-ISSN: 1572-5138
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/14767430.2022.2076776
OpenAlexW4282037483
LanguageEN
Citations received64
References cited19

Thematic analysis (TA) is one of the most popular methods in social science. There are several different approaches to TA that hold different ontological commitments, ranging from positivistic coding reliability TA to constructivist reflexive TA. However, there has been less focus on developing an approach that is informed by critical realism, with the notable exception of Wiltshire and Ronkainen. The first part of this paper proposes a five-step critical realist approach to TA. This approach aims to produce nuanced causal explanations of events, countering the mistaken assumption that qualitative research cannot produce causal knowledge. The second part of the paper brings this critical realist approach to TA into conversation with three alternatives: coding reliability, reflexive, and Wiltshire and Ronkainen’s approach. The approach to TA in this paper builds on the strengths of these alternatives, offering an accessible way to adopt a critical realist philosophical grounding when doing TA

Conversation · Critical realism (philosophy of perception · Critical theory · Epistemology · Positivism · Qualitative research · Realism · Reflexivity · Social constructivism · Social science · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Contemporary Sociological Theory and Practice · Critical Realism in Sociology · Qualitative Comparative Analysis Research · Philosophy

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