Data Analysis

Focus group recordings were transcribed verbatim by a professional transcription company. Verified transcripts were independently analyzed by 3 researchers (NVI, IIH, and LT) using inductive thematic [34] and content analyses [35] with NVivo (version 12.5 Plus, QSR International). The analytical process involved several steps. First, the researchers independently coded the original transcripts by identifying key points and recurring subthemes and themes that were central to the areas of discussion within and across the focus groups. A constant comparative method [36] that involves iterative comparison of new information with coded data was used to guide the analysis. This inductive analytical process allowed us to identify common themes and subthemes that transcended all focus groups while capturing variations in cancer survivors’ perspectives on the discussed topics. The researchers reviewed the merged coding results after the analysis of each transcript to resolve coding discrepancies. They also regularly met with the rest of the research team to discuss emergent themes and refine the codebook. An intercoder agreement was established at a recommended 90% [37].

When the thematic analysis of all focus groups was completed and saturation in the data was achieved, the researchers performed content analysis on the generated themes and codes using the counts of text references in NVivo to systematically represent consistencies and variations in viewpoints across the focus groups based on participants’ gender and residence. This analysis also helped identify how the themes were interrelated and interconnected to describe cancer survivors’ varied views on a web-based healthy lifestyle program. Demographic and survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with SAS (version 9.4, SAS Institute).