Framework approach: a method for analysis of qualitative data

Objective (s): The framework approach was developed in the 1980s as a method to manage and analyze qualitative data in applied policy research. The aim of this article is to introduce the Framework analysis for qualitative data analysis.

Electronic literature search was performed using PubMed, Science Direct, Ovid, ProQuest, and Google. Then relevant literature was retrieved and was reviewed.

A number of scientific evidences were identified. In general there were two types of papers: those applied framework analysis in healthcare and social investigations, and those explained about the framework analysis processes. The five steps of framework approach constitute a hierarchical thematic framework that is used to classify and organize data according to key themes, concepts and emergent categories.

The framework approach has become popular, especially among novice healthcare researchers, due to flexibility, easy and clear steps.