The approach and application of analysing inductive and deductive datasets: a worked example using reflexive thematic analysis

Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis (reflexive TA) has gained wide attraction since its conception in 2006. Reflexive TA is methodologically flexible with researchers making decisions, which support their philosophical positionings. Qualitative research publications are often criticised for their lack of detail on the analytical processes undertaken to develop the analysis. This level of detail is important for novice researchers in learning ‘how to do’ analysis. This paper provides a worked example of the analytical approach using reflexive TA when exploring parent treatment decision-making in poor-prognosis childhood cancer. Qualitative analysis was undertaken of interview transcripts at different decision timepoints incorporating inductive and deductive approaches resulting in within and across case analysis. Discussion reflecting on the challenges, iterative processes and contextual decisions made on and towards the data is provided. The aim is to share an example of ‘how to’ approach reflexive TA to support novice researchers in their learning.