What does the term "thematic analysis" specifically focus on?

The term "thematic analysis" focuses specifically on identifying and analyzing patterns within qualitative data. This qualitative research method is used to examine various themes or patterns that emerge from the data, allowing researchers to interpret and make sense of the information gathered from interviews, focus groups, or other forms of qualitative data collection.

Thematic analysis involves several steps, including familiarization with the data, coding relevant information, identifying themes, and refining those themes to reflect the underlying messages or insights. This method is valuable for understanding complex data and providing a detailed and nuanced perspective on the research topic.

The other choices relate to different aspects of research methodology. For example, calculating numerical data averages pertains to quantitative analysis, which is not the focus of thematic analysis. Gathering historical data records also does not align with the thematic focus on qualitative patterns, nor does conducting surveys for quantitative research, which is primarily aimed at gathering measurable data rather than exploring themes or patterns.