Understanding Framework Analysis: An Introductory Guide

 
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Qualitative methodology has become a staple of modern research practices. By analyzing qualitative data and using data analysis frameworks, researchers can quantify observable behaviors, traits, and characteristics. Read more to learn about this framework for qualitative research.

There are several methods for conducting qualitative research. One particular method that has proven its efficacy is framework analysis. Below, we outline the critical tenets of framework analysis and explain the benefits of this qualitative methodology.

What Is Framework Analysis?

Framework analysis is a specific qualitative technique initially developed by Liz Spencer, Jane Ritchie, Jane Lewis, and Lucy Dillon for the National Centre for Social Research to help the UK government with evidence-based policy making method. These techniques are used for government social research to ensure quality standards in qualitative evaluation methods. It is particularly suitable for applied policy and health research due to its format.

Framework Analysis is more prescriptive than other research methodologies as it provides a more step-by-step approach and is primarily used for applied research. The feature that differentiates framework analysis from many other qualitative analysis techniques is its use of a matrix output that enables researchers to systematically analyze data by participants and themes. In the matrix, rows represent individual participants, and columns represent themes. The cell of the matrix is used by the researcher to summarize their findings about the corresponding participant and theme. This matrix enables researchers to contextually compare and contrast data across participants and theme.

Stages of Framework Analysis

Framework analysis is hugely popular among researchers due to the level of built-in organization that it provides. This methodology is divided into five stages designed for researchers to follow sequentially to analyze qualitative data. As they complete each stage, researchers will be better prepared to draw conclusions at the end of the study. Read more to learn about this framework approach.

The five stages of framework analysis, which are referenced in Alison Hackett and Karen Strickland’s paper, “Using the framework approach to analyse qualitative data: a worked example” are as follows:

Stage 1. Familiarization

The earliest stage of framework analysis is known as familiarization. Prior to this step the researcher will have collected some qualitative data from their research participants, often in the form of transcripts. During this stage, researchers should acquaint themselves with the data and begin to look for any themes that may be developing.

By intentionally taking time to familiarize themselves with the data, researchers can ensure that they have an intimate knowledge of the content that they will be working with in the stages that follow.

Stage 2. Identifying Themes

Phase two of the framework analysis methodology, the researcher writes up the themes and subthemes that they found in the familiarization step. The goal of this stage is to identify the thematic framework. Researchers should look for discussion points, issues, or themes buried in transcripts. This step is often done inductively, but themes can also be created deductively based on the interview topic guide and literature analysis

Stage 3. Indexing

In the third stage of framework analysis, the researcher takes the themes and applies them to their data/transcripts using a process known as qualitative coding. This requires taking the themes and subthemes and assigning a code (a short word or phrase) to each one.  Read more about qualitative coding here. 

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During indexing, researchers will divide their transcripts into manageable portions and code those sections with themes and sub-themes developed in the previous step.  This allows you to quickly collate your data by code in the final stages of the methodology. Using a qualitative coding tool like Delve can greatly speed up this indexing process

Stage 4. Charting and Summarizing

Now that the researcher has identified and indexed the themes, researchers can begin charting and summarizing their findings. During this stage, they will rearrange data into a discernible order, which is the last step necessary before they can interpret the data. If researchers complete the first three stages correctly, then charting should be a relatively straightforward process, giving a narrative for the fragments found in previous steps.

A matrix can be helpful for laying out summaries of the findings. It is common in framework analysis to create a matrix where each column is an initial theme/subtheme and each row is a transcript. Using the coding done in the indexing phase, the researcher can read over each theme for every research participant. They can summarize that information and insert it into the corresponding cell in the matrix.

Stage 5. Interpretation/Mapping

Once researchers have reached the mapping and interpretation stage, they are nearing the end of the study. They can use the insight gained from the mapping stage to develop a more thorough understanding of the larger picture or the interpretation of the findings. This is a descriptive step that explores themes, categories, and types, linking overarching narratives back to the data.

Using the charting and summarization matrix, the researcher can start grouping both themes and research participants. Themes can be grouped into higher level categories. While research participants can be grouped into higher level typologies based on their similarities. Then the researcher can analyze how those typologies and categories interrelate, and map linkages between them.

The final phase is to take these categories, typologies, and linkages and develop an explanation behind them. This will be the final theories and narrative derived from the framework analysis process.

Benefits of Framework Analysis

Framework analysis is most frequently used in healthcare settings. However, framework analysis is widely considered one of the most versatile qualitative methodologies in existence. It provides many benefits not present with other research methodologies. The benefits of this methodology include the following:

Focuses on Participants

Due to the detailed outline that framework analysis provides, researchers are better equipped to focus on observations of the participants. The matrix output created in Stage 4: “Charting and Summarizing” allows the researcher to consider how themes occur across interviews (columns), while still being able to consider a particular participant (row). Other qualitative analysis methods can lose sight of the individual case as cross-interview themes are formed.

Dynamic

Framework analysis is also incredibly versatile. It allows researchers to make changes as necessary throughout the entire process, meaning that researchers can better adapt to unforeseen issues during the study.

Systematic Approach

The framework analysis methodology is a systematic approach to data review. It allows researchers to ensure that they handle the data per predetermined procedures. The matrix summarization provides an intuitive and systematic way to reduce large data sets. This approach can be appealing to novice researchers, who may struggle with keeping both the thematic and individual perspective in mind at once. This systematic approach helps researchers to identify themes while also controlling for biases more accurately.

Implementing the Framework Analysis Methodology

If you want to implement this methodology, the easiest way to do so is by using software such as Delve qualitative analysis tool.

With Delve, you can rapidly code data, review results, and produce outputs to visualize the information gathered during your study. You can use Delve’s matrix generation tool to generate the skeleton of your Framework Analysis Matrix. Using Delve’s advanced filtering, you can splice the data by transcript and code to help summarize and fill in this matrix. Delve offers a free trial, which you can start here.

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