Possibility and Grounds for Teamwork in Thematic Analysis

Introduction: Thematic Analysis (TA) is a flexible method for identifying themes in data, yet it is not a uniform approach. Different forms of TA vary in their conceptualisation, application, and suitability for teamwork, posing practical challenges for researchers. Despite its relevance, little is known about which approaches support collaboration or favour individual analysis. Goals and Methods: This study examines a few well-known approaches of TA (i.e. Reflexive TA, Boyatzis and Applied TA). The goal is to identify how each approach conceptualises, supports, or limits collaborative work, and to explore the reasoning behind these preferences. This is done through a critical methodological review. In the presentation, we will focus on the possibility and grounds for teamwork. The analysis involves reviewing the core papers to determine whether each approach encourages teamwork or solitary work and to explore the reasoning behind these preferences. Results: The project which this presentation is based on is currently a work in progress. Preliminary findings suggest that the different manifestations of TA vary in their approaches to teamwork. They indicate notable variation across TA methods. Reflexive TA is generally conducted individually, whereas teamwork is central in Boyatzis’ approach. Applied TA and other methods present teamwork as a pragmatic choice, influenced by available resources and research context. Conclusion: This presentation aims to provide researchers with clearer guidance by examining key articles. By comparing how different TA approaches conceptualise teamwork, this study provides guidance for researchers on aligning available resources with their chosen method. This contributes to more informed choices about the alignment between research resources, collaboration, and analytical approaches.