There are two primary ways of doing analysis:

1. Content Analysis
2. Thematic Analysis
What is content analysis? (Prieto, N., Naval, V. and Carey, T., 2017)
This is a technique that could be used when qualitative data had been collected through
interviews, focus groups, observations and documentary analyses.
This procedure is also used to categorize oral or spoken words, or a person’s
conduct, behavior, sorting, grouping, codification and tabulation.
It may be done in two levels:
First is the basic level, a descriptive discussion of what the data is. This specifies that what was
said and no further explanation or comments on and how and why it was said should be done.

Second is the higher level, a more interpretative analysis that combines the specific responses,
as well as what may have been inferred or implied from the data. Interpretation involves what
the data means.
It involves coding and classifying of the data, also referred to as categorizing and coding or
indexing.
The aim of content analysis is to make sense of data and to make inferences about the
messages or findings.
Step to be followed in content analysis (Prieto, N., Naval, V. and Carey, T., 2017)
1. Prepare your data – you transcribe your data from the beginning of the data collection
process to save time during the analysis of data.
2. Determine the unit of analysis – you classify contents into units or themes (textual, a
word, phrase or sentence). Each unit should be related with each other and base it from the
units or themes on the research objectives.
3. Develop the categories and coding system – you develop the categories or types of
behavior or attitudes. Compare the categories and put together across the categories formed.
4. Pre-test coding system – you select a sample and pre-test the coding system to
determine the consistency.
5. Code all the textual data – you apply the coding system of your data. This could be done
manually or with the use of a software.
6. Check the validity and reliability of the data – you must be sure that you keep
accurate and detailed field notes. You may show the field notes to an outside researcher, either
a research colleague or a judge.
7. Draw inferences – the inferences should be based on the coding system. You have to
explain based on the categories and determine relationships and patterns.
8. Present the results – the results should be supported by secondary data. You may use
matrices, diagrams for a better presentation of results and analysis.
Thematic Analysis
This is a form of pattern recognition within the data. It provides a simple interpretation and
concise description of themes and patterns in the data set. The general procedure involves a
careful review of the raw data.

Steps in Thematic Analysis

1. Familiarize yourself with your data
- You have to transcribe the verbal data, read very well and find meanings and patterns.
2. Generate initial codes
- You have to code all your data and identify those codes which are similar.
3. Search for themes
- Continuing from the previous stage, you organize a long list of codes and sort the
different codes into themes. A theme is a collection of codes. It is possible to classify and form
main themes or sub-themes.
4. Review the themes
- This has two levels. The first level involves doing a review of the codes to determine if
the data really fit into each theme. You can re-arrange the data if necessary. The second level
involves reviewing the level of the themes. Map or diagram can be used to put together themes.
5. Define and name the themes
- This stage should reveal the essence of each theme or sub-themes and how they relate
to the overall essence of data.
6. Prepare the report
- Your final output should be concise, logical, coherent and should present a broad and
meaningful account of the results of your research.