Supporting best practice in reflexive thematic analysis reporting in < em > Palliative Medicine < /em > : A review of published research and introduction to the < em > Reflexive Thematic Analysis Reporting Guidelines < /em > (RTARG)

Palliat Med. 2024 Mar 12:2692163241234800. doi: 10.1177/02692163241234800. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Reflexive thematic analysis is widely used in qualitative research published in Palliative Medicine, and in the broader field of health research. However, this approach is often not used well. Common problems in published reflexive thematic analysis in general include assuming thematic analysis is a singular approach, rather than a family of methods, confusing themes and topics, and treating and reporting reflexive thematic analysis as if it is atheoretical.PURPOSE: We reviewed 20 papers published in Palliative Medicine between 2014 and 2022 that cited Braun and Clarke, identified using the search term 'thematic analysis' and the default 'relevance' setting on the journal webpage. The aim of the review was to identify common problems and instances of good practice. Problems centred around a lack of methodological coherence, and a lack of reflexive openness, clarity and detail in reporting. We considered contributors to these common problems, including the use of reporting checklists that are not coherent with the values of reflexive thematic analysis. To support qualitative researchers in producing coherent and reflexively open reports of reflexive thematic analysis we have developed the Reflexive Thematic Analysis Reporting Guidelines (the RTARG; in Supplemental Materials) informed by this review, other reviews we have done and our values and experience as qua...
Source: Palliative Medicine - Category: Palliative Care Authors: Source Type: research