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Table 4 Framework analysis - Ritchie and Spencer’s five interconnected steps[38]

From: A feasibility study to inform the design of a randomized controlled trial to identify the most clinically and cost effective Anticoagulation Length with low molecular weight heparin In the treatment of Cancer Associated Thrombosis (ALICAT): study protocol for a mixed-methods study

Familiarization:

The researcher will immerse themselves in the data by re-listening to interview recordings and re-reading transcripts and field notes. The researcher will document central ideas and recurring themes.

Identifying a thematic framework:

An index of themes will be created, informed by the original research aims around understanding recruitment and retention, but also by issues raised by the participants in the data.

Indexing the data:

The index will be applied to each transcript by coding them with the themes from the thematic framework. During this process, the framework may be adjusted, adding new themes and subthemes as they emerge. The adjusted framework will then be applied to subsequent transcripts and reapplied to existing transcripts to ensure all data is appropriately coded.

Charting:

A matrix will be created of themes and participants. Data will be lifted from the transcripts and arranged according to thematic references. The data is summarized by the researcher, rather than verbatim quotes included, and referenced back to the original data.

Mapping and interpretation:

Charts and research notes will be reviewed to compare and contrast the perceptions and experiences of participants.