Applied Multimethod Thematic Analysis Using an International Study of Menopause in Registered Nurses

BackgroundNurse researchers from six participating countries (Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Finland and Denmark) collaborated on an international menopause study on nurses.PurposeTo demonstrate an iterative two stage thematic analysis within a qualitative paradigm as it applied to an international menopause study.MethodsUsing an exploratory approach, the Framework Method and Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis were applied to data from 48 participants.ResultsThe Framework method provided an organising structure capturing large amounts of narrative data into a structured matrix. Following detailing of the larger data set into abstracted categories, Braun & Clarke's thematic analysis method enabled researchers to abstract themes into specific narratives reflective of participants voices.ConclusionThe iterative thematic analysis approach enabled nurse researchers to effectively collaborate across different countries, different time-zones and different cultures to synthesise a large body of qualitative data in a systematic, structured approach. This research demonstrates an iterative systematic methodological approach that can be used by nurse researchers analysing data manually where other programmes are not available.