Which method is popular for qualitative data analysis?

Thematic analysis is a popular method for qualitative data analysis because it allows researchers to identify, analyze, and report patterns or themes within qualitative data. This method provides a flexible and accessible framework for conducting qualitative research, making it suitable for a wide range of studies. Researchers typically start by familiarizing themselves with the data, coding interesting features, and then sorting these codes into potential themes. This approach can help uncover the underlying meanings and insights in the data, making it particularly useful in fields like psychology, social sciences, and health research.

In contrast, the other methods listed serve different purposes. Case study analysis focuses on in-depth exploration of a specific instance or context, which may not necessarily cover broader themes present in qualitative data. Experimental design is quantitative, involving controlled testing of hypotheses, and is aimed at establishing cause-and-effect relationships rather than analyzing qualitative patterns. Meta-analysis involves statistically combining results from multiple studies, usually of quantitative data, to draw general conclusions, which is not applicable to qualitative data analysis. Thus, thematic analysis stands out as the most relevant method for analyzing qualitative data effectively.