Table 2 Phases of thematic analysis [27]

1. Familiarization with data

Transcribing data (if necessary), reading and rereading the data, noting down initial ideas.

2. Generating initial codes

Coding interesting data features in a systematic fashion across the entire data set, collating data relevant to each code.

3. Searching for themes

Collating codes into potential themes, gathering all data relevant to each potential theme.

4. Reviewing themes

Checking in the themes work in relation to the coded extracts (Level 1) and the entire data set (Level 2), generating a thematic “map” of the analysis.

5. Defining and naming themes

Ongoing analysis to refine the specifics of each theme and the overall story the analysis tells; generating clear definitions and names for each theme.

6. Producing the report:

The final opportunity for analysis. Selecting vivid, compelling extract examples, the final analysis of selected extracts, relating the analysis to the research question and literature, and producing a scholarly report of the analysis.