Sociology Report: Thematic Analysis of Qualitative Data and Findings

This report presents a thematic analysis of qualitative data derived from interviews, focusing on epistemological issues, ethical considerations, and key findings. The introduction highlights the importance of thematic analysis in evaluating qualitative data, emphasizing its role in gaining descriptive insights and assessing elements within themes. The report explores the epistemological challenges, such as the difficulties in interpreting diverse viewpoints and the impact of researchers' varying beliefs. It also addresses ethical issues, including the need to maintain respondent confidentiality and avoid conflicts of interest. The findings section identifies recurring themes, such as the emotional impact of a relative's imprisonment, experiences during prison visits, financial strain, and the challenges of drug smuggling within prisons. The discussion section connects these findings to broader sociological and criminological contexts, emphasizing the health and social consequences of drug offenses and the difficulties faced by individuals with incarcerated relatives. The report concludes by summarizing the key insights and implications of the qualitative data analysis.

ASSESSMENT
Contents
Contents...........................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
EPISTEMOLOGICAL ISSUE ASSOCIATED WITH THE RESEARCH....................................3
EFFECTIVE RELEVANT ETHICAL ISSUES..............................................................................3
FINDINGS.......................................................................................................................................4
Identifying relevant themes which emerges from response of participant within transcript......4
DISUCSSION..................................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Thematic analysis of the qualitative data is considered to be of utmost importance as it is
useful in evaluating each themes in a systematic manner. Qualitative data has been gathered
through the transcript which helps in gaining descriptive data and is useful in evaluating each
elements within the theme to gain appropriate set of results. This study mainly focuses on the
epistemological issue associated with the research. Furthermore, this study also focuses on
effective relevant ethical issues. Moreover, this study also focuses on identifying relevant themes
which emerges from response of participant within transcript. This study will also interpret the
themes to gain wider set of knowledge related with the subject topic.
EPISTEMOLOGICAL ISSUE ASSOCIATED WITH THE RESEARCH
Epistemology is considered to be as a technical term within philosophy and it is referred to
help in building significant degree of relationship between the known and knower. It has been
effectively distinguished from ontology i.e., what exists and nature of reality and axiology i.e.,
values within methodology. One of the major epistemological issue is the key possibility
associated with what is known. The issue associated with what is known. It is difficult to
determine the gap associated with the research. There is an issue in evaluating the viewpoints if
different respondents associated with the same theme. This impose greater difficulty for the
interviewer to effectively analyse the viewpoints of all the respondents with the specific theme. It
takes a lot of time for the researcher that it is difficult to interpret the views of the various
researcher associated with the specific theme (Finkel, Eastwick, and Reis, 2015). Different
beliefs and attitudes of the different respondents is considered to be as one of the major
epistemological issue within the specific research area. Every researcher has varied set if ideas
and thoughts associated with the specific theme in the research. This in turn creates greater issue
and largely affects the key results and outcomes related with the research.
EFFECTIVE RELEVANT ETHICAL ISSUES.
Ethical issues is considered to be as one of the most effective measure which is useful in
carrying out the research in an ethical manner (Daniel, 2019). It helps in carrying out the
research with complete integrity. No information associated with the respondents has been given
to any person which is useful in effectively carrying out the results and outcomes. Conflict of

interest is considered to be as one of the ethical issue which has taken place within this research.
The researcher of the study must ensure there must not be any conflict within the responses in
order to gain better results and outcomes associated with the research. Conflicting questions is an
Unethical issue which in turn has been faced by the participants. The researcher of the study
must effectively ensure that the respondent is not hurt in any manner (Lipworth and et.al., 2017).
The data is gathered in an ethical and reliable manner. This is useful gaining significant set of
results by asking multiple questions in an appropriate manner.
FINDINGS
Identifying relevant themes which emerges from response of participant within transcript.
Theme 1- How everyone felt when they heard about that their relatives are going to prison
Victoria- when asked by Rachel Victoria laughed and said that she was not in position of hiding
her emotion and she cried a lot. After going home she cried even more as she had the feeling that
without James she has no family and she kept crying for two days. She was so much worried and
tensed because he was the only man around the house and this has affected their work and life to
a great extent.
Josie: when asked by Rachel, how you felt when you heard about that your relatives are going to
prison she has expressed that, she has never been surprised when she heard about the relatives
getting arrested and going to prison. She was sure that Josh was going to have longer prison
period.
Frank: when asked by Rachel, how you felt when you heard about that your relatives are going to
prison she has expressed that, he and his wife were not in the court when they have been sent
down to the prison. This is thing which we were not able to face. Pam has also got heart
palpitations. It was difficult for us to understand what has went wrong. She always used to cry
when they visit Adam in prison. All the stuff has to be put in the locker. There is also a long
queue and ID has to be given to meet the person who is in prison.
Theme 2- Telling more about the prison
Victoria- when Rachel asked to tell about prison visit then Victoria said that it is always a long
day as she leaves the house at 7 for reaching to prison by the time of visiting hours. She didn’t

know to drive so she took bus train and then another bus. At the visiting centre it was filled with
families and the whole waiting room was equipped with people. After that i had to wait in the
queue with the ID and then meet James.
Josie: when Rachel asked to tell about prison visit the prison, Josie has mentioned that, the
waiting time at the time of visit to the prison is highly terrible. It is very time consuming to wait
for the bus and also nobody ever made me aware about the fact that, how must time would I have
to spend to wait for the bus, phone calls. Also the waiting time associated with the waiting for
the bus is very time consuming. Time associated with the search time is also there. I believe that
half of my time has been spent waiting.
Theme 3- Is having a relative in prison has affected the money situation.
When asked for the money situation in case of relative being in prison Victoria replied that she
was not having good pay at the job and was working in a nursing home. If she would have
worked in nights then she would have got more pay but it is risky for her health and also the
patients were more in night so risk was also high. When James was working at that time there
was no money shortage but at after going in prison there were many problems being aroused. It
was difficult for me to manage the money situation after James left to prison I faced many
financial problem and issues.
Josie: When asked for the money situation in case of relative being in prison Josie replied that,
people do not even realize that people don’t even realize it requires additional cost when transfer
to another prison.
Frank: When asked for the money situation in case of relative being in prison Frank replied that,
people do not even realize that people don’t even realize it requires additional cost when transfer
to another prison. He states that, they generally used to take a drive when they wanted to see
Adam. She usually gets teary when she visit him in the prison. She believes, she doesn’t have
faced any financial issue because they are retired and they get their pension. When the Adam is
released from prison, then he will be assisted by us to get a job and live at our flat because he lost
his flat.
Theme 4- what was the training
When Rachel asked for the method of training then Victoria said that the training was provided
as on how to listen to people and how to be friendly and how people can get help in the prison.

This training was very helpful for her as she was able to manage and share her experience with
James relating to all these aspect.
Josie: When Rachel asked for the method of training then Josie has expressed that, it is very
depressing for her that, she misses the person she loves and that person is not around. This is
very depressing for her.
Frank: When Rachel asked for the method of training then Frank has expressed that, he goes to
CAB once a week. This helps in effectively claiming the key benefits and get all relevant set of
information. I have also been helping at the PRAG and focuses on judging various phenomenon.
Theme 5- how do they smuggle it in the prison.
In the discussion it was revealed that they smuggle drug into the prison. After that Victoria said
that the drug was put on a piece of paper just like a child’s picture and as the prisoner gives the
picture they lick paper and get themselves high. Further Victoria said that this is so scary and lot
of people in the prison do this sort of thing.
Josie: In the discussion it was revealed that they smuggle drug into the prison. When asked by
Rachel that how do they smuggle it in the prison, it has been expressed by the Josie that, Josh has
told me that the family has been threatened within the prison because a dealer has owned money
within the prison. Prison does not cut them from the outer world. Everybody has an idea what
you are doing.
Frank: When asked by Rachel that how do they smuggle it in the prison, it has been expressed by
the Frank that, drugs within the prison is considered to be as one of the terrible thing. If you
think that they all go clean within the prison, but it’s not true. They deal within the prison by
using mobile phones and they smuggle through that. There are also fights because of money
issues.
DISUCSSION
With the above finding it is clear that the drug offence is a serious offence and this
hampers the life of the people. The major reason is that when the person commits the drug
offence then this creates a major impact over the health issues and even the person is affected
emotionally and psychologically. Thus, with the help of the above finding it was clear that it is of
utmost importance that the person is not involved in the drug offence. The major reason
underlying this fact is that when the person is caught in the drug offence then if the person is

sentenced for up to seven years in prison or for an unlimited fine or even both the punishment
(Drugs and crime, 2020).
Further as per the views of MacGregor (2017) the drug offence creates a major threat for
the health of the person. The major reason is that more intakes of drugs can cause serious health
issues for the person and if this will not be addressed then this might result in severe diseases or
even death of person. In addition to this use of drug can deteriorate the mental health of the
person as well. This is particularly because of the reason that when the person intake drugs then
this limit the sensibility of the person to a great extent and this affect the person both emotionally
and psychologically.
Further from the finding it was seen that when relatives of the entire three respondents it
was clear that the life in prison was very tough. The major reason is that the person has gone for
committing any crime or any other related activity and because of this the image of that person is
spoilt and even they are deprived of the society (Klatt, 2016). The major reason underlying this
fact is that when the person intakes drugs then they lose their mental stability and can commit or
can undertake any action or activity. Thus, because of this reason such kind of people are very
risky for the society and can have negative impact over the working and living of the society
members and other related people.
Furthermore, with the finding it was also seen that when a relative of the respondent is in
prison then this has a great impact over the money condition of the child. The major reason
underlying his fact is that when the person is imprisoned and if they are the only earning member
in the family then this creates huge trouble for the family. Hence, this is the major problem
which is being faced by people like Victoria as earlier she was having James as a earning
member as well. But after imprisonment of James, Victoria was left the only member earning
and she also not get much earning. Hence, in the end it can be said that if the person is in prison
then this creates a huge impact over the money situation of the person and his family (Godlee
and Hurley, 2016). Thus, for this it is essential for the people to manage the financial issues of
the person so that family of person can also have better life when their earning member is in
prison. Frank has not faced any financial issue because they are retired and they get their
pension. It is very time consuming to wait for the bus and also nobody ever made me aware
about the fact that, how must time would I have to spend to wait for the bus, phone calls. Time
associated with the search time is also there. CAB once a week helps in gaining significant

degree of training. It is very depressing for someone that, she misses the person she loves and
that person is not around. This training was very helpful for her as she was able to manage and
share experience. It has been evaluated that, Prison does not cut them from the outer world.
Everybody has an idea what you are doing. Drugs within the prison is considered to be as one of
the terrible thing. They deal within the prison by using mobile phones and they smuggle through
that. There are also fights because of money issues.
CONCLUSION
From the conducted study it has been summarized that, Epistemology is considered to be as
a technical term within philosophy and it is referred to help in building significant degree of
relationship between the known and knower. Different beliefs and attitudes of the different
respondents is considered to be as one of the major epistemological issue within the specific
research area. Conflict of interest is considered to be as one of the ethical issue which has taken
place within this research. Conflicting questions is an unethical issue which in turn has been
faced by the participants. The major reason is that when the person commits the drug offence
then this creates a major impact over the health issues and even the person is affected
emotionally and psychologically. This training was very helpful for her as she was able to
manage and share experience.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Daniel, B.K., 2019. Big Data and data science: A critical review of issues for educational
research. British Journal of Educational Technology. 50(1). pp.101-113.
Finkel, E.J., Eastwick, P.W. and Reis, H.T., 2015. Best research practices in psychology:
Illustrating epistemological and pragmatic considerations with the case of relationship
science. Journal of personality and social psychology.108(2). p.275.
Godlee, F. and Hurley, R., 2016. The war on drugs has failed: doctors should lead calls for drug
policy reform. BMJ: British Medical Journal (Online), 355.
Klatt, T., 2016. Predictors of Drug Use in Young Offender Institution. Germany: Criminological
Research Institute of Lowe Saxony Germany.
Lipworth, W and et.al., 2017. Ethics and epistemology in big data research. Journal of bioethical
inquiry. 14(4). pp.489-500.
MacGregor, S., 2017. UK Drug Policy. In The Politics of Drugs (pp. 27-62). Palgrave
Macmillan, London.
Online
Drugs and crime. 2020. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/drugs-and-crime#:~:text=The%20maximum
%20sentences%20for%20possession,for%20a%20Class%20C%20drug>