2.6. Qualitative Analysis

The qualitative comments left on the questionnaires were also analysed using thematic analysis [24]. This approach was used because it provided a way of organising the qualitative data in the form of themes: recurrent topics, ideas or statements identified across the corpus of data. The comments were analysed manually by YL in consultation with PD, according to the six phases described by Braun and Clarke [24]. The process involved familiarisation with the data, coding, searching for themes, reviewing themes, defining and naming themes, and writing up. After familiarisation with the data, YL coded each comment and assigned initial ‘code names’. The codes were then grouped together under common themes and the themes in turn were grouped according to two higher-order categories.