Rapid Deductive Qualitative Analysis in Implementation Science: A Practical Training Protocol

Implementation science researchers continue to develop innovative methods to speed the translation of research to practice. One such approach, rapid qualitative analysis, which uses streamlined analytic tools to achieve rigorous results in an abbreviated timeline. While the Planning for and Assessing Rigor in Rapid Qualitative Analysis (PARRQA) framework provides clear guidance for consistently reporting findings, we realized a need for greater training protocols to support team members and answer practical questions. The purpose of this methodological note is to share our teams' rapid deductive analysis protocol. The includes instructions for 1) developing a coding template that aligns with the interview questions, 2) coding the first interview and refining the template, 3) using a two-coder process to code remaining interviews, 4) using transcripts to select representative quotations, 5) checking quality throughout the process through senior researcher review and meeting debriefs, 6) using a two-coder process to write a summary and select an exemplar quotation for each question/construct, and 7) reporting results. This protocol supported our team in consistently applying rapid deductive approaches to qualitative analysis for deliverable development in a timely manner. Researchers continue to debate whether analysis approaches should be more or less rapid. We recommend using rapid deductive approaches for focused research questions to quickly share findings and inform practice. We encourage other researchers to adopt and adapt our protocol, in conjunction with reporting frameworks such as PARRQA, to continue to advance the field on timely deductive qualitative analysis approaches.