Which qualitative approach is described as not dependent on a specific epistemology and can be used in a variety of ways on a variety of data types?

• A. Thematic analysis
• B. Grounded theory
• C. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis
• D. Discourse analysis

Answer: (A)

The main idea being tested is the flexibility of thematic analysis as a qualitative method. This approach isn’t tied to a single epistemology and can be applied across different theoretical lenses, making it suitable for a wide range of research questions. It works with various data types, such as interview transcripts, focus groups, open-ended survey responses, or textual documents, and you can approach it from different angles—identifying semantic themes, exploring latent meanings, or combining both. The strength lies in its adaptability: you can start from raw data and derive themes without committing to one rigid theoretical stance, which is why it’s widely used across disciplines and study designs. In contrast, the other methods have clearer theoretical anchors—grounded theory aims to generate theory through systematic coding and comparison within specific methodological traditions; interpretive phenomenological analysis focuses on exploring individuals’ lived experiences within a phenomenological framework; discourse analysis emphasizes how language constructs social reality within particular analytical assumptions about discourse and power.