Abstract
This chapter introduces Abductive Thematic Network Analysis (ATNA) as a methodological approach for qualitative data analysis. It starts by providing a brief description on abductive theory of method and thematic analysis method. Then, it highlights how the two methods are combined to create ATNA. Using a qualitative data set, this chapter demonstrates the steps in undertaking ATNA with a computer-aided qualitative data analysis software—ATLAS-ti v.7.5. The chapter concludes that ATNA provides to researchers a much-needed pragmatic and logical way of reasoning, organising, and presenting qualitative data analysis.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Notes
- 1.
For ethical reason some parts, that are not relevant to this chapter, are hidden in some of the visual demonstrations.
- 2.
In a country other than where they are born and/or studying.
- 3.
Swedish students—born and raised in Sweden.
- 4.
- 5.
Read more about setting up project from ATLAS-ti free manual available at http://atlasti.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/atlasti_v7_manual_201312.pdf?q=/uploads/media/atlasti_v7_manual_201312.pdf.
- 6.
Coding from list is also possible, after open coding has been done. Refer to ATLAS-ti manual for more details on coding.
- 7.
Read more about assigning relationship in network from the ATLAS-ti manual.
- 8.
Refer to Haig and Evers (2016), for more information on exploratory factor analysis.
References
Attride-Stirling, J. (2001). Thematic Networks: An Analytic Tool for Qualitative Research. Qualitative Research, 1(3), 385–405.
Bazeley, P. (2013). Qualitative Data Analysis. London: SAGE.
Birks, M., Chapman, Y., & Francis, K. (2008). Memoing In Qualitative Research: Probing Data and Processes. Journal of Research in Nursing, 13(1), 68–75. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987107081254.
Boyatzis, R. (1998). Transforming Qualitative Information: Thematic Analysis and Code Development. Thousand Oaks: SAGE.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2013). Successful Qualitative Research: A Practical Guide for Beginners. London: SAGE.
Cooper, G., & Meadows, R. (2016). Conceptualising Social Life. In N. Gilbert & P. Stoneman (Eds.), Researching Social Life (pp. 10–24). London: SAGE.
Cupchik, G. (2001). Constructivist Realism: An Ontology that Encompasses Positivist and Constructivist Approaches to the Social Sciences. Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung/Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 2(1), Article 7. Retrieved February 12, 2011, from http://qualitative-research.net/fqs-texte/1-01/1- 01cupchik-e.htm
Dubois, A., & Gadde, L.-E. (2002). Systematic Combining: An Abductive Approach to Case Research. Journal of Business Research, 55(2), 553–560.
Feilzer, M. Y. (2010). Doing Mixed Methods Research Pragmatically—Implications for the Rediscovery of Pragmatism as a Research Paradigm. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 4(1), 6–16.
Fereday, J., & Muir-Cochrane, E. (2006). Demonstrating Rigor Using Thematic Analysis: A Hybrid Approach of Inductive and Deductive Coding and Theme Development. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 5(1), Article 7. Retrieved February 12, 2011 from http://www.ualberta.ca/~iiqm/backissues/5_1/html/fereday.htm
Friese, S. (2013). ATLAS.ti 7 User Guide and Reference: ATLAS.ti. Berlin: Scientific Software Development GmbH. Retrieved December 15, 2016, from http://atlasti.com/wpcontent/uploads/2014/05/atlasti_v7_manual_201312.pdf?q=/uploads/media/atlasti_v7_manual_201312.pdf
Friese, S. (2014). Qualitative DATA analysis with ATLAS.ti (2nd ed.). Los Angeles: SAGE.
Haig, B. D. (2005a). An Abductive Theory of Scientific Method. Psychological Methods, 10, 371–388.
Haig, B. D. (2005b). Exploratory Factor Analysis, Theory Generation, and Scientific Method. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 40(3), 303–329.
Haig, B. D. (2008a). Scientific Method, Abduction, and Clinical Reasoning. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 64, 1013–1018.
Haig, B. D. (2008b). Précis of “An Abductive Theory of Scientific Method”. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 64, 1019–1022.
Haig, B. D. (2015). Commentary: Exploratory Data Analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 6(1), 1247.
Haig, B. D., & Evers, C. W. (2016). Realist Inquiry in Social Science. New York: SAGE.
Hodkinson, P. (2016). Ground Theory and Inductive Research. In N. Gilbert & P. Stoneman (Eds.), Researching Social Life (pp. 98–115). London: SAGE.
Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development (Vol. 1). Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall.
Koob, J. J., & Funk, J. (2002). Kolb’s Learning Style Inventory: Issues of Reliability and Validity. Research on Social Work Practice, 12(2), 293–308.
Levin-Rozalis, M. (2004). Searching for the Unknowable: A Process of Detection—Abductive Research Generated by Projective Techniques. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 3(2), Article 1. Retrieved February 12, 2011, from http://www.ualberta.ca/~iiqm/backissues/3_2/pdf/rozalis.pdf
Lipton, P. (2000). Inference to the Best Explanation. In W. H. Newton-Smith (Ed.), A Companion to the Philosophy of Science (pp. 184–193). London: Blackwell.
Morgan, D. L. (2007). Paradigms Lost and Pragmatism Regained. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1, 48–76.
Morse, J. (2011). Molding Qualitative Health Research. Qualitative Health Research, 21(8), 1019–1021.
Paavola, S. (2004). Abduction as a Logic and Methodology of Discovery: The Importance of Strategies. Foundations of Science, 9(3), 267–283.
Paavola, S. (2015). Deweyan Approaches to Abduction? In U. Zackariasson (Ed.), Action, Belief and Inquiry—Pragmatist Perspectives on Science, Society and Religion (pp. 230–249). Nordic Studies in Pragmatism 3. Helsinki: Nordic Pragmatism Network.
Rambaree, K., & Faxelid, E. (2013). Considering Abductive Thematic Network Analysis with ATLAS.ti 6.2. In N. Sappleton (Ed.), Advancing Research Methods with New Media Technologies (pp. 170–186). Hershey: IGI Global.
Reichertz, J. (2009). Abduction: The Logic of Discovery of Grounded Theory. Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung/Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 11(1), Art. 13. Retrieved February 12, 2011, from http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs1001135
Ryan, G., & Bernard, H. R. (2003). Techniques to Identify Themes. Field Methods, 15(1), 85–109.
Seal, A. (2016). Thematic Analysis. In N. Gilbert & P. Stoneman (Eds.), Researching Social Life (pp. 444–458). London: SAGE.
Taylor, C., & Coffey, A. (2009). Editorial—Special Issue: Qualitative Research and Methodological Innovation. Qualitative Research, 9(5), 523–526.
Thornberg, R. (2012). Informed Grounded Theory. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 56(3), 243–259.
Timmermans, S., & Tavory, I. (2012). Theory Construction in Qualitative Research: From Grounded Theory to Abductive Analysis. Sociological Theory, 30(3), 167–186.
Vaismoradi, M., Jones, J., Turunen, H., & Snelgrove, S. (2016). Theme Development in Qualitative Content Analysis and Thematic Analysis. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 6(5), 100–110.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Rambaree, K. (2018). Abductive Thematic Network Analysis (ATNA) Using ATLAS-ti. In: Moutinho, L., Sokele, M. (eds) Innovative Research Methodologies in Management. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-64394-6_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-64394-6_4
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-64393-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-64394-6
eBook Packages: Business and ManagementBusiness and Management (R0)