Articles on Method

Articles on method: 2015

Gildberg, FA., Bradley, SK., Tingleff, EB., Hounsgaard, L. 2015. Empirically Testing Thematic Analysis (ETTA): Methodological Implications in Textual Analysis Coding System. Vol. 5 No.2. pp. 193-207. Nordic Nursing Research. – Research: Article, peer reviewed. Status: Published.

Text analysis is not a question of a right or wrong way to go about it, but a question of different traditions. These tend to not only give answers to how to conduct an analysis, but also to provide the answer as to why it is conducted in the way that it is. The problem however may be that the link between tradition and tool is unclear. The main objective of this article is therefore to present Empirical Testing Thematic Analysis, a step by step approach to thematic text analysis; discussing strengths and weaknesses, so that others might assess its potential as an approach that they might utilize/develop for themselves. The advantage of utilizing the presented analytic approach is argued to be the integral empirical testing, which should assure systematic development, interpretation and analysis of the source textual material.

Articles on method: 2010


Gildberg, F.A. & Hounsgaard, L. 2010. In-between grounding and theory: Symbolic interactionism as framework for a field study of forensic mental health nursing. Tidsskrift for sygeplejeforskning, 2010, (2+3) 54-59.

Reflecting only on the use of method involves the risk of reducing science to the use of tools, such as interviews, questionnaires or participant observations. In doing this there is a risk of overlooking the underlying epistemologies and methodological considerations, which are pivotal in understanding and assessing qualitative research. The aim of this article is to describe and discuss the epistemology and methodological implications of Symbolic Interactionism (SI) as a framework for a field study of forensic psychiatric nursing, and, furthermore, to present the core concept of SI and discuss limitations and advantages of the Blumerian position compared with Grounded Theory (GT). SI is presented and the epistemology and methodological implications of using SI are discussed. The conclusion is that it appears that SI can be used as an appropriate research ´approach´ in the underlying fieldwork, when it comes to understanding the social interaction and the underlying construct of meaning. SI seems to be useful when researching and understanding human interaction, but cannot be used as a complete epistemological and methodological package. Compared with related positions, such as GT, this article argues for a more moderate use of SI, weighing more heavily on representation instead of the construct of theory.