Thematic Analysis of Interview Data

This document provides a detailed explanation of the assignment requirements for thematic analysis using IPA coding. It addresses common questions and concerns, such as how to structure the thematic table, what to include in the annotated transcript, and how to reference methodological literature. The guide emphasizes the importance of following the research question and not developing it after identifying themes. It also provides tips on how to justify the identification of themes and explains that only 2 pages of coded transcripts are required for submission.

FRIENDSHIP IN
ASPECT OF LIFE

ABSTRACT
Main focus of the research is made to understand the importance of friendship in aspect
of life. It requires a person to closely observe the situation and take up help from friends. In order
to carry out the research in effective manner, there are requirement of proper methods selected so
that appropriate information can be gathered. In this context, it includes primary and secondary.
In this present research, the investigator has made use of primary method and these are
information that are gathered for the first time. More specifically, interview is conducted and
open ended questions are developed for the same. Further, for making analysis of the data
gathered, discourse analysis is applied. Further, there are one of the respondent who is taken into
consideration. From the research it can be stated that friends are highly important in all aspects
of life.

Contents
ABSTRACT....................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Method.............................................................................................................................................1
ANALYSIS......................................................................................................................................2
Discussion........................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
In journey of life, there are different types of situations that are faced by individuals and
it provides the opportunity to meet people who are supportive and provide was with proper
guidance. Individuals have family members but it also consist of people which are chosen by
once own choice and among them some become more important than family members. Main
focus of the study is made on friendship and related incidents that has taken place. There are
interview conducted that will help to know the preference of people and the type of perception
that are carried out by them for friendship. The analysis of the study is done with the help of
Discourse analysis. This is determined to be the type of analysis of language that is beyond the
sentences (Coulthard, 2014 ). It enables to focus on the information that are provided by people
and it also considers smaller bits of languages like sounds parts of words, etc. This method
highly help in focusing on the quality of information and to consider source with the help of
which people are able to come up with appropriate outcome.
Method
In order to gather information, there different type of methods that can be applied by the
researcher. In this context, it includes primary and secondary method. Primary can be determined
as a type of method that are gathered for the first time. It includes methods like questionnaire,
focus groups, observation and interview. Among these tools, the researcher has made use of
interview so as to gather data (Gee, 2014). The interview data has been taken from Higher
Education Academy. There are in total there are five of the interview that are taken among which
only one interview is taken into consideration. They are selected a respondents as they are
helpful enough to provide adequate information in respect with the topic. Interview is selected as
a tools for collection of data as it will be effective enough to understand perception that are
carried out and there will not be biasness as respondents will be able provide appropriate answers
for the questions developed by the researcher.
The participant is 21 years old and he is selected as respondent has he will be able to
provide appropriate information in relation with the research question ( Tannen, Hamilton and
Schiffrin, 2015). When information is gathered, then it requires to make use of appropriate data
analysis so that they are able to outcome can be determined. In this process, discourse analysis is
taken into consideration. This method enables to focus on the research questions that are
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developed and viewers will be able to understand the information that is provided by the
respondent. There are many steps that are involved in this analysis. However, main focus will be
made in which themes are formed as per the questions that were asked in the interview
(Fairclough, 2013 ). This will be favourable enough to make analysis and evaluation of the data
that are provided by them. When researcher selects appropriate method or strategy, then it
becomes favourable enough to make sure that they present the data in systematic manner and
they are able to determine appropriate outcome for the same.
ANALYSIS
So as to make analysis of the interview conducted, it can be stated that there are different
type of themes that are develop and they are as follows:
Theme 1: Schools and colleges enable to create friends.
Description: There are different types of situations that enable to have interaction with
other. This helps to know each other and to determine the likes and dislikes. As per the response
that was given at interview, it can be stated that at the age of 15 he got shifter from Austria and
was moved to boy’s school. There he had best friend from history class. They spend time
together, when to pub and mostly they were together. He was able to learn from him and there
were many other friends that the respondent has and they all went to the pub. This way, it can be
stated that school is a place in which there are people with whom we interact and get to know
others. As per the response given, they never had a fight as the respondent was calm and prefer
to help other. The type of perception that is carried out by individuals also has a positive impact
over the relation. There are situations that are faced in which conflict can arise, then perception
enables to be strong and support other in all condition.
Theme 2: Social media effective to connect with people
Description: There are many friends with whom it is not possible to be in touch always
but with advancement in technology, there are many social websites like Facebook, MSN which
is helpful enough to be in touch. The respondent has made many friends with the help of social
media and it can be also be stated that this generation prefer to make use of social media so that
they are able to be in touch. Further, it is also helpful enough to make new friends. Further, the
respondent has also gone of America for a camp. When new friends are made, then it is helpful
enough to create new experience. Further, for the respondent it is a type ways that has helped
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him to create new experience. He is so addicted that every now and then he checks his Facebook
account. From this, it can be stated that he is able to determine the activities that are helpful
enough to know others. Other than this, he also wrote letter to one of his friend who was from
Philippines. He was in touch and wrote many letter but there was never any response. However,
after few years, she was on Facebook and after that also he lost the contact. These are type of
friends who say in touch but not for long period of time.
Theme 3: In touch with family member of native
Description: As per the response given, there are many condition in which family
members were in contact for the time when his dad was alive. He used to make plans as he used
to go back to Austria twice in a year. However, after the dearth of his father the visit reduced.
Even though he visited his native place but did not meet his relatives. However, the respondent
stated that we always have time for other but the thing is to who to spend time. It requires to
have the willingness among the person that they want to spend time with others. People always
find time but difference is made when they get to know with whom they are willing to spend
their time. Further, relatives like Grandparents are helpful enough to share their experience and
provide suggestions for the difficulties. He stated that it is difficult for him to remember all like
his grandparents remember so share their experience. Further, it is important each individual to
develop strong relation with their relative as they are the one who are supportive enough for all
the type of situations that are faced.
Theme 4: No able to spend time will all friends
Description: There is different type of activities that has to be performed in college and
when a person gets older, then they have to perform job as well. When a person get occupied
with work, then it becomes difficult to spend time with others. In such condition, it is important
to make sure that they find time to enjoy so that the amount of stress that is formed can be
reduced. As per the response given, it is found that there are some of the friends who scold, make
fun of and make use for their own benefit. When these type of condition arise, then one is able to
develop their understanding and is also able to distinguish who is good and bad. There are many
occasions that are mentioned by the respondent in which many of the people who were with him
used him. Further, it is also identified that with time, there are many changes that take place in
relation with the behaviour of people. There are incidents shared in which the respondent was not
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able to recognize one of his friend of childhood who got changed completely. These types of
conditions generally happen according to the conditions or situations that are faced.
Theme 5: Trust is important among friends
Description: There are many friends who have shown there love to the respondents in
which there are two of the incidents that are shared. One was to stay at his friend’s home for 2
months. He insisted to pay he was not allowed. Further, there was a watch which he liked and for
his 21st birthday he got it from his friend as a gift. Apart from this, his father who died was a pain
for him to share with but there were friends with him who support in all aspects of life. All these
show the trust that each of the friend have. Sharing and understanding without even telling them
that need is formed with the trust that is developed. Trust plays vital role in maintaining any type
of relationship. This way, friends provide strength to face any type of situation and to believe in
one selves to perform any type of task without fear.
Theme 6: There are particular person in life
Description: There are people in life who are different from others and they do are in the
memory. They are the one who make themselves different from others with their behaviour or
acts. As per the response given, it is found that there was friend who used to take up metals and
used them as swords. These are some of the crazy think that were done. One is not sure in which
part of life a person will be helpful. But it is important that from our side we spend time with
others and understand them. It is essential that they take up responsibility that they will be there
for want all situations that they may face. Friends always come and go, it is on us with whom we
are willing to stay and make them important or as a part of life.
Discussion
In accordance with the above interview conducted, this can be started that people get with
in touch with different people. It is dependent on us whom to selected or choose as friends.
Further, all have time to spend for other but it depends in us on who we are willing to spend.
There are many changes that take place in behaviour and the attitude that one carry. It is
important to make sure that they we are same with friends and when a person is able to stay same
as they are, then they are able to be a true friend. Further, trust is important for a person to have
on friends. All the friend may not same from behaviour but it requires to have proper
understanding for how they act with others. Further, the type analysis tool that was implemented
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has helped in make proper evaluation made for the interview conducted. It is important for that
one is always there for supporting each of their friends in their problems. There are conditions
that are faced in life of each person in which they get depressed. In this condition, when there are
support from the side of friends and family, then one is able to tackle the situation is positive
manner. Further, it requires to make right choices to be made in selecting appropriate friends so
that one may not get in trouble. Apart from this, friends have proper understanding about what
we need what are our likes and dislikes, etc. They are supportive enough to make sure that they
support us mentally and emotionally in all the type of conditions that are faced in all aspects of
life.
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REFERENCES
Coulthard, M., 2014. An introduction to discourse analysis. Routledge.
Fairclough, N., 2013. Critical discourse analysis: The critical study of language. Routledge.
Gee, J. P., 2014. An introduction to discourse analysis: Theory and method. Routledge.
Tannen, D., Hamilton, H. E. and Schiffrin, D., 2015. The handbook of discourse analysis. John
Wiley & Sons.
Theme
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Appendix
Q: Where do I find information about the participants?
A: There is some limited information about the participants provided in the workshop “An
introduction to coursework interviews/data” and the “TQRMUL (coursework data background
info)” file. Additional information should be gathered from the interview itself. The aim is to
provide contextual information for the reader. You should assume that the reader has not read
your transcript, as would be the case in a published piece of research, and therefore would know
nothing about the participants other than what you provide in your report. Try to identify what
information is important in relation to your research question, your topic and what you later
mention in your results section.
Q: Should I pretend that I collected the data or do I say that it is on the internet in my methods
section?
A: You should write the method section up as if this was a research project you worked on but
there is no need to 'pretend' that you personally collected the data. This section can be written in
the third person e.g. "The data was collected using...", "The interviewers were..." etc. In
qualitative research we often analyse data that other members of our research team have
collected so this is not really any different to writing up research in real life.
Q: I'm unsure what my research question should be like?
A: Example research questions for each approach are provided in the lecture slides and in the
directed reading. If you are unsure, I would recommend sticking closely to the structure and
wording of the examples, for instance by replacing the topic in the example with your
topic. Further reading on the specific types of analysis will also help you.
Q: Here are my themes, will this research question fit in with them?
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A: Your coding of the data, identification of themes and analysis generally should all be guided
by your research question. You should not develop your research question after you have
identified your themes. This is like putting the cart before the horse.
Q: Does the different coding (for IPA) need to be on both sides of the transcript (i.e. in the left
and right hand margins)?
A: This doesn't really matter. The important thing in IPA is that you go through the data twice.
Once writing initial notes about what the participant is saying (descriptive coding) which will
largely summarise the content of the data and then a second time transforming these into concise
phrases which aim to capture the essential quality of the experience or the meaning they give to
the experience (analytic coding). The text books suggest that it might be useful to use one margin
to do the first and the other margin to do the second coding but if you are coding electronically
this probably isn't possible.
Q: What should a thematic table look like?
A: Examples of thematic tables can be found in your directed reading and in some published
examples. The important thing is that the table shows how your codes were grouped together to
form a theme. For example:
Theme 1 Theme 2
Code a (line numbers: *** –
***)
Code x (line numbers: *** – ***)
Code b (line numbers: *** -
***)
Code y (line numbers: *** – ***)
Code c (line numbers: *** -
***)
Code z (line numbers: *** – ***)
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Q: How do we reference this assignment if no knowledge of the topic is needed?
A: You should reference methodological literature in your introduction, methods, and discussion
sections when evaluating, describing and critically discussing the approach used. This could take
the form of chapters from text books, journal articles which focus on method or published
examples of a method. You are not expected to have knowledge of research specifically relating
to the topic or reference existing literature on friendship.
Q. Do I need to include an annotated copy of the transcript in the appendices?
A: In reviewing the guidelines in the assignment brief, it is encouraged that you include a 2
page extract from your annotated transcripts in the appendix. In other words, you need only
include 2 pages of your analysis (i.e., coded transcripts) in the appendix. This request is optional
in the guidance but can help the marker to trace back the steps you have taken in the analysis of
the interview that has led to the identification of your themes.
Q. Do I need to include references to support my identification of themes?
This is not necessary. You just need to justify how the themes were derived. That is, you need to
include extracts of the data that support your identification and explanation of the themes.
As previously mentioned, you will need to describe the analytical procedure drawing on
references from the literature (e.g., this may include highlighting a recommended approach you
adopted of steps followed to analyse the data).
Q. How many extracts should I include for each theme?
This depends on whether you are drawing on one large quote that is representative of many
similar recurring patterns in the data, or several smaller quotes. The ratio of the split between
theme explanation and extracts should be 50:50.
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