Really useful comments about the use of thematic analysis in the Rose paper. Thematic analysis is used in a lot of qualitative research as a first stage which is really useful in describing the data. Many researchers then identify research questions from doing the thematic analysis that they use to explore in more depth, usually drawing upon the theoretical literature. An example of this is a study of prescribing practice in primary care by Britten et al. Their initial analysis showed how many patients' agendas are 'unvoiced' in consultations with GPs. Members of the research team then used the same dataset to investigate other questions, e.g.,Barry et al have drawn upon Mishler's work on how 'the voice of medicine' and 'the voice of the lifeworld' influence what gets voiced in primary care consultations.
Barry, C., et al., Giving voice to the lifeworld. More humane, more effective medical care? A qualitative study of doctor-patient communication in general practice. Social Science and Medicine, 2001. 53: p. 487-505.
Britten, N., et al., Misunderstandings in prescribing decisions in general practice: qualitative study. BMJ, 2000. 320: p. 484-488.
