1. Purpose of a thematic report

The purpose of a thematic report is to distill qualitative data into meaningful themes, providing a structured and interpretable understanding of the subject being studied¹. Here are some key objectives:

• Identify Patterns: Thematic reports help in identifying recurring themes or patterns within a dataset, which can reveal underlying meanings, ideas, and concepts.
• Provide Insights: They offer insights into participants’ perspectives and experiences, making it easier to understand complex social phenomena.
• Organize Data: By categorizing data into themes, these reports make large datasets more manageable and interpretable.
• Support Decision-Making: The findings from thematic reports can inform policy-making, strategic planning, and other decision-making processes.

1. Structure of a thematic report

Writing a thematic report involves several key steps to ensure it is well-organized and effectively communicates your findings. Here are the main requirements:

• Introduction:
• Research Question: Clearly state the research question or topic you are exploring
• Purpose: Explain the purpose of the report and why the topic is important.
• Methodology:
• Data Collection: Describe how you collected your data. This could include interviews, surveys, or document analysis.
• Coding and Themes: Explain the process of coding your data and how you identified the main themes.
• Results and Findings:
• Themes: Present each theme in a separate section. Describe what each theme means and provide evidence from your data to support it.
• Narrative: Use a narrative to connect your themes and show how they answer your research question.
• Discussion:
• Interpretation: Interpret your findings and discuss their implications. How do they contribute to the existing knowledge on the topic?
• Limitations: Acknowledge any limitations in your study and suggest areas for future research.
• Conclusion:
• Summary: Summarize the main findings and their significance.
• Recommendations: Provide any recommendations based on your findings.
• References:
• Citations: Include a list of all sources you cited in your report.
• Appendices(if applicable):
• Additional Data: Include any additional data or materials that support your report but are too lengthy to include in the main text.

1. Introduction of a thematic report

• Context and Background: Start by providing the context and background of the study. Explain why the topic is important and relevant. This helps to engage the reader and establish the significance of the report.
• Research Question or Objective: Clearly state the research question or the main objective of the report. This provides a clear focus and direction for the reader².
• Scope of the Report: Outline the scope of the report, including what will be covered and any limitations. This helps to manage the reader’s expectations and provides a framework for the report.
• Methodology Overview: Briefly describe the methodology used to gather and analyze the data. This adds credibility to your findings and helps the reader understand the basis of your analysis.
• Structure of the Report: Provide a roadmap of the report, outlining the main sections that will follow. This helps the reader navigate through the document and understand the flow of information

2. Methodology section in a thematic report

Presenting the methodology in a thematic report is crucial for establishing the credibility of your findings. Here’s a structured approach to effectively present your methodology:

• Introduction to Methodology: Start by briefly explaining the purpose of the methodology section. This sets the stage for what the reader can expect.
• Research Design: Describe the overall research design and approach. Explain whether you used qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods, and why this approach was suitable for your study.
• Data Collection: Detail the data collection methods used. This could include interviews, surveys, focus groups, or document analysis. Specify how the data was gathered, including the tools and procedures used.
• Sampling: Explain the sampling strategy. Describe the sample size, selection criteria, and any relevant demographic information about the participants.
• Data Analysis: Outline the steps taken to analyze the data. For thematic analysis, this typically involves familiarization with the data, coding, generating themes, reviewing themes, defining and naming themes, and writing up.
• Ethical Considerations: Discuss any ethical considerations and how they were addressed. This might include informed consent, confidentiality, and how you handled sensitive information.
• Limitations: Acknowledge any limitations of your methodology. This shows transparency and helps readers understand the context of your findings. 

3. Presentation of Research Findings

• Introduction to Findings: Start with a brief introduction that outlines the main themes identified in your analysis. This sets the stage for the detailed discussion that follows.
• Organize by Themes: Present your findings theme by theme. For each theme, provide a clear heading and a concise description of what the theme represents.
• Use Sub-Themes: If applicable, break down each main theme into sub-themes. This helps to provide a more detailed and nuanced understanding of the data.
• Support with Data: Use quotes, excerpts, or examples from your data to illustrate each theme. This adds credibility and helps to vividly convey the findings.
• Interpretation and Analysis: Alongside presenting the data, provide your interpretation and analysis. Explain what the findings mean in the context of your research question and how they relate to each other.
• Visual Aids: Incorporate visual aids such as charts, graphs, or thematic maps to enhance understanding and make the data more accessible.
• Summarize Key Points: At the end of each theme, summarize the key points. This helps to reinforce the main findings and ensures that the reader grasps the essential insights.

4. Discussion section

A thematic report’s discussion section is crucial for interpreting and evaluating the findings. Here’s a structured approach to writing it:

• Summarize Key Findings: Begin by briefly summarizing the main themes identified in your analysis. This helps to remind the reader of the core insights.
• Interpret Themes: Discuss the significance of each theme. Explain how these themes contribute to understanding the research question or topic. Highlight any patterns, relationships, or trends that emerged.
• Compare with Existing Literature: Relate your findings to existing research. Discuss how your results align with, contradict, or expand upon previous studies. This helps to situate your work within the broader academic context.
• Implications: Explore the practical or theoretical implications of your findings. Consider how they might influence future research, policy, or practice.
• Limitations: Acknowledge any limitations in your study. This could include methodological constraints, sample size, or potential biases. Being transparent about limitations adds credibility to your work.
• Future Research: Suggest areas for future research based on your findings. This shows that your work has opened new avenues for investigation.
• Conclusion: End with a concise conclusion that encapsulates the main takeaways from your discussion.

5. Conclusion of a thematic report

• Restate the Main Themes: Begin by briefly summarizing the main themes identified in your report. This helps to remind the reader of the key points discussed.
• Synthesize Findings: Integrate the findings from different themes to provide a cohesive understanding of the overall insights. Highlight how these themes interconnect and what they collectively reveal about the topic.
• Implications: Discuss the implications of your findings. Explain how they contribute to the existing knowledge on the topic and what they mean for future research, policy, or practice.
• Recommendations: If applicable, provide recommendations based on your findings. These could be suggestions for future research, policy changes, or practical applications.
• Final Thoughts: End with a strong closing statement that reinforces the importance of your study and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

6. References

When writing the references section of a thematic report, it’s important to follow a consistent citation style, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago. Here are some general guidelines and examples for citing different types of sources in APA style:

Books:

• Author(s). (Year). Title of the book. Publisher.
• Example: Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Sage Publications.

Journal Articles:

• Author(s). (Year). Title of the article. Title of the Journal, Volume (Issue), Page numbers. DOI
• Example: Smith, J. A. (2020). Thematic analysis: A research method. Journal of Qualitative Research, 15(2), 123-134. https://doi.org/10.1234/abcd.5678

Reports:

• Author(s). (Year). Title of the report(Report No. if available). Publisher. URL
• Example: World Health Organization. (2019). Global health risks(Report No. 123). WHO. https://www.who.int/reports/global-health-risks

Websites:

• Author(s). (Year, Month Day). Title of the webpage. Website Name. URL
• Example: National Institute of Mental Health. (2021, March 15). Anxiety disorders. NIMH. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders

Chapters in Edited Books:

• Author(s). (Year). Title of the chapter. In Editor(s) (Eds.), Title of the book(pp. Page numbers). Publisher.
• Example: Clarke, V., & Braun, V. (2013). Teaching thematic analysis. In C. Willig & W. Stainton-Rogers (Eds.), The SAGE handbook of qualitative research in psychology(pp. 120-137). Sage Publications.

7. Appendices

• Raw Data: Include transcripts of interviews, survey responses, or any other raw data that was analyzed.
• Coding Frameworks: Provide detailed coding schemes or frameworks used during the thematic analysis.
• Additional Tables and Figures: Include any tables, charts, or figures that are too large or detailed to fit into the main text.
• Research Instruments: Copies of questionnaires, interview guides, or other tools used to collect data.
• Ethical Approval: Documentation of ethical approval for the research, if applicable.
• Supplementary Analysis: Any additional analysis that supports your findings but is not essential to the main discussion.
• Glossary: Definitions of specialized terms or acronyms used in the report.
• References: A list of all sources cited in the appendices, if they are different from those in the main text.
• Mistake to Avoid

When writing a thematic report, it’s important to avoid common mistakes to ensure clarity and effectiveness. Here are some key pitfalls to watch out for:

• Lack of Focus: Ensure your report has a clear central theme. Avoid straying into unrelated topics, which can confuse readers and dilute your main message.
• Overgeneralization: Avoid making broad, unsupported statements. Be specific and back up your claims with evidence from your data.
• Ignoring Structure: A well-organized report is easier to follow. Use headings and subheadings to structure your content logically.
• Neglecting Analysis: Simply presenting data isn’t enough. Make sure to analyze and interpret your findings, explaining their significance in relation to your theme.
• Using Jargon: Avoid overly complex language or technical jargon that might confuse readers. Aim for clear, concise, and accessible language.
• Lack of Proofreading: Spelling and grammatical errors can undermine the professionalism of your report. Always proofread your work or have someone else review it.
• Overloading with Information: Be selective with the information you include. Too much detail can overwhelm readers. Focus on the most relevant data that supports your theme.

By keeping these points in mind, you can create a thematic report that is clear, focused, and impactful.