Which statement describes a deductive approach to thematic analysis?

Which statement describes a deductive approach to thematic analysis?

• A. Codes are predetermined and the data is coded with these
• B. Codes emerge from the data without preconceptions
• C. Codes are randomized during coding
• D. Coding is unnecessary in deductive analysis

Answer: (A)

Deductive thematic analysis starts with a theoretical framework and predefined codes. You decide on these codes before you examine the data, and you code the data using these established categories. The aim is to see how well the data fit the existing themes or to examine how the data illustrate the theory you’re testing. For example, if you’re exploring anxiety through a cognitive-behavioral lens, you might predefine codes such as avoidance, rumination, physiological arousal, and fear of negative evaluation, then tag relevant passages with those terms to assess alignment with the theory. This approach focuses on applying the theory-driven structure to the data rather than letting new themes emerge spontaneously from the data itself. Coding remains essential in this method, and it’s not about random or absent coding.

Deductive thematic analysis starts with a theoretical framework and predefined codes. You decide on these codes before you examine the data, and you code the data using these established categories. The aim is to see how well the data fit the existing themes or to examine how the data illustrate the theory you’re testing. For example, if you’re exploring anxiety through a cognitive-behavioral lens, you might predefine codes such as avoidance, rumination, physiological arousal, and fear of negative evaluation, then tag relevant passages with those terms to assess alignment with the theory. This approach focuses on applying the theory-driven structure to the data rather than letting new themes emerge spontaneously from the data itself. Coding remains essential in this method, and it’s not about random or absent coding.