What Counts as a Theme and Why it Matters in Qualitative Research

Dr Claire Moran

Move beyond vague themes and topic labels. Learn what strong, defensible themes look like in qualitative research.

Thinking Qualitatively: Free Webinar Series

Fresh, free, and focused: Webinars for researchers and PhD students to explore key issues and sharpen qualitative research practice.

<h3>Time and location</h3>10am GMT. This is a virtual event.The Zoom link will be emailed to registered attendees prior to the event.<h3>Overview</h3>Themes are everywhere in qualitative research but what they mean depends on how you're doing analysis.In this practical, theory-informed session, Dr Claire Moran will unpack the confusion around what counts as a “theme” in qualitative research and explore why so many researchers struggle to move from codes to meaningful findings.You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how themes work and why that matters for rigour, coherence, and conceptual clarity.<h3>What we’ll cover</h3>Drawing on examples from reflexive TA, phenomenology, and narrative research, we’ll explore:<ul><li>Why “theme” means different things across methods and methodologies</li><li>How to recognise the difference between topic summaries and interpretive themes</li><li>Common analytic traps — especially in the write-up stage</li><li>How to use TA to clarify what themes do, not just what they label</li></ul><h3>Who should attend?</h3><ul><li>PhD students and early-career researchers</li><li>Qualitative researchers using or teaching TA</li><li>Research teams applying TA in applied or academic settings</li></ul><h3>Why join?</h3>If your themes feel vague, flat, or overly descriptive , you’re not alone. This session offers clarity on a concept that’s too often assumed and underexplained.We’ll also share details of the upcoming Reflexive TA Masterclass opportunity for those ready to go deeper.<h3>Interested in training for your institution?</h3>I also deliver exclusive training for research groups, faculties, and institutions.Get in touch: <a href="" title="" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">claire@clairemoran.com</a><h3>What past participants say</h3>“Claire’s training provided both theoretical knowledge and practical skills for conducting qualitative analysis. Her friendly teaching approach and use of case-based learning significantly enhanced my understanding and confidence.”Pradeepa Korale-Gedara, Postdoctoral Research Fellow-Food Systems Horizons."The course was absolutely excellent. You managed to make a nebulous topic very clear, understandable and most importantly implementable!"Maria Farris, PhD Candidate, Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, University of Technology, Sydney.“I got so much out of this workshop and am excited to get to work on my research, especially knowing that Claire will be there if I need further support in the future.”Elizabeth Boardman, PhD Candidate and Project Officer, Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research, Central Queensland University.

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What Counts as a Theme and Why it Matters in Qualitative Research

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What Counts as a Theme and Why it Matters in Qualitative Research

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