1st Edition

Expanding Approaches to Thematic Analysis Creative Engagements with Qualitative Data

318 Pages 31 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

318 Pages 31 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

318 Pages 31 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

Expanding Approaches to Thematic Analysis: Creative Engagements with Qualitative Data springboards readers into a world where generating themes from qualitative data is a creative, experimental, and wondrous process! While no one ever said it had to be, thematic analysis is invariably described as a step-by-step process that involves coding. Yet qualitative data analysis is more than a... Read more

Introduction – Expanding Thematic Analysis: Beyond Coding, Toward Engagement

Jennifer R. Wolgemuth, Kelly W. Guyotte, and Stephanie Anne Shelton

Chapter 1 – An Introduction to Themeing the Data

Johnny Saldaña

Chapter 2 – Ma(r)king Themes: Annotating as Thematic Analysis

Stephanie Anne Shelton and Carlson H. Coogler

Using Diagramming to Explore the Perceptions and Experiences of Spanish-Speaking Mamás and Their Students in the Context of the Seal of Biliteracy

Anna Mónica Segoviano

Chapter 3 – Memo Writing: Centrifugal and Centripetal Approaches to Thematic Analysis

Paul Mihas

Chapter 4 – Spinning Thematic Webs: The Plasticity of Diagrammatical Analysis

Melissa Freeman

Chapter 5 – Reading Relationally: A Feminist/Queer Analytic Method

Kelly W. Guyotte and Stephanie Anne Shelton

Not Just Reading Between the Lines: Analysis as a Generative Act

Presence O’Neal

Chapter 6 – Thematic Resonances: Listening as an Alternative to Data Dissection

Susan Ophelia Cannon and Hannah Edber

Audio-Memoing as Accountable Listening: One Structure for Data Analysis Centering Indigenous Perspectives

Jenni Conrad

Chapter 7 – Writing Toward Theoretical and Resonance

Jessica Van Cleave

Narrative Fiction as Feminist Refusal: A Utopian Short Story of Lactation in Education

Kelsey Benson

Making Sense Through Letter Writing

Maddie Neufeld

Chapter 8 – The Logic of Peace: Practical Lessons from Thematic Analysis and Meditations

James Salvo

Creative Silence and “Theme Jumping”: Meditation as Thematic Analysis

Steve Haberlin

Chapter 9 – Getting Mixed Up: Arts-Based, Contemplative, and Generative Approaches to Thematic Analysis

Kakali Bhattacharya

Deliberate Reflections: Unveiling Identities and Insights through Contemplative Data Analysis in Autoethnography

Keishana L. Barnes

Chapter 10 – Recurring Languaging Practices as ‘Themes’

Francesca A. Williamson and Jessica Nina Lester

Applying Ubuntu in Thematic Analysis for Exploring Black Student Experiences at a Predominately White Institution

Da’Ja’Nay Askew

Chapter 11 – Composing Poems: Using Poetry as Qualitative Data Analysis

Sandra L. Faulkner and Wendy K. Watson

Poetry as Thematic Analysis

Chelsea Gilbert

Chapter 12 – I Have Hated Analysis: Poetic Thematic Analysis

Maria K. E. Lahman

Chapter 13 – Quilt Tactics: Black Quilting as Method in Qualitative Research

S.R. Toliver

The Roots: A Golden Concept to Black Life

Trevor D. McCray

Chapter 14 – Exploring Relationality, Wonder, and Resonance: Artmaking as (Thematic) Analysis

Maureen A. Flint and Shannon A. B. Perry

Creating Visual Images to Enrich Thematic Analysis

Kanwardeep Kaur Singh and Elizabeth Holliday Morgan

Finding Gems: Wondering Within Thematic Analysis

Tye Campbell, W. Boden Robertson, and José Wellington Sousa

Chapter 15 – Who Are Photos For? What Are Photos For?: Thematic Analysis, Photovoice, and Photographic Practice

Jasmine B. Ulmer

Let’s Go for a Walk: Critical Spatial Analysis and Participatory Theme Making

Jason E. Titus

Chapter 16 – Performance Perspectives in Thematic Analysis

Joseph D. Sweet

Chapter 17 – Comics-Based Thematic Analysis

Marcus B. Weaver-Hightower

Chapter 18 – Wondering, Seducing… Thematic Nonsense

Jennifer R. Wolgemuth, Travis M. Marn, and Daria Smirnova

Bowerbirding with Data Glowing

Christie C. Byers

Biography

Jennifer R. Wolgemuth is Associate Professor of Qualitative Research at the University of South Florida. Drawing on critical, poststructural, and new materialist theories, she explores inquiry as an agential process that simultaneously investigates and creates lives and communities to and for which researchers are responsible.


Kelly W. Guyotte is Associate Professor of Qualitative Research at the University of Alabama. Always inspired by her background in the visual arts, her research interests include issues of gender and equity in higher education and artful inquiry practices, as well as qualitative pedagogy and mentoring.


Stephanie Anne Shelton is Associate Professor of Qualitative Research at the University of Alabama. Guided by her extensive background in K–12 and teacher education, and situated within queer and feminist theories, she often engages in interview, focus group, and observation-based research that explores LGBTQ+ issues in educational research.

"The authors of Expanding Approaches to Thematic Analysis have taken a common topic in qualitative inquiry and have given it a magnificent makeover. Every single chapter in this book is a bag of sparkling gifts providing much needed guidance for new scholars to the field and textured and sophisticated analysis for the more experienced. This is the most important addition to the field in recent memory." -- David Carlson, Arizona State University, USA

"Expanding Approaches to Thematic Analysis delivers an invitation: to engage with creative and contemporary thematic analysis variations and to experiment and experience patterns, threads, resonances, and various contours of thematic possibilities in qualitative inquiry and beyond. An invitation to become activated and surprised!" -- Mirka Koro, Arizona State, University USA

"Written by an impressive team of qualitative researchers, Expanding Approaches to Thematic Analysis is a much needed and timely book. It puts the emphasis on the need to think about what thematic analysis is, and what it might be, rather than reducing it to a form of instrumental coding and a discussion of how to do that coding. This shift of emphasis opens new and different possibilities for thematic analysis to realize its full potential and contribute to rich and nuanced interpretations (not just descriptions) in qualitative inquiries. Practical examples are provided of how such potential has, and might be, realized thereby grounding the discussion in the reality of undertaking this type of research. This book is essential reading for anyone with an interest in thematic analysis and how best to use it." -- Julianne Cheek, Østfold University College, Norway

"Expanding Approaches to Thematic Analysis is a must-read for anyone engaged with qualitative data. With a wide array of compelling works that explore innovation, creativity, and imagination in the approach to qualitative data analysis, this book addresses a long-awaited intellectual demand among aspiring qualitative researchers. Each chapter not only demonstrates cutting-edge thoughts but also serves as an inspiration to move beyond the limited realm of conducting qualitative data analysis. The editors of the book thoughtfully brought eminent contributors together to make an outstanding contribution to the ever-evolving field of qualitative research." -- Jeong-Hee Kim, Texas Tech University, USA

"Expanding Approaches to Thematic Analysis: Creative Engagements with Qualitative Data is a much-needed addition to thinking on thematic analysis in qualitative inquiry for researchers working from a range of theoretical perspectives. The collection of chapters and short narratives representing “methodologies in action” provide a bountiful set of resources demonstrating thoughtful, artful, and inventive ways to contemplate what thematic analysis is and does, and how it might be enacted. Both philosophical and practical, the edited volume collectively represents an impressive array of approaches to thematic analysis. Read, learn, and be inspired!" -- Kathryn Roulston, University of Georgia, USA

"In this far-reaching engagement with the practices and politics of thematic analysis, contributors provide crucial interventions that move beyond coding. From annotating and diagramming to poetry, art-making, and performance – as well as a whole host of other approaches -- contributors seek new possibilities and inventive ways forward in the practical, conceptual, theoretical, and empirical aspects of thematic analysis. Whether you are a novice student or a seasoned researcher, Expanding Approaches to Thematic Analysis will be a must-read addition to your methods library." -- Michael Giardina, Florida State University, USA