Thematic units contain one unique idea, as it captures one theme or category of a response that can be assigned a code. For example, one participant's response “being away from my friends and extended family” contains two thematic units, as one related to being away from friends and the other related to being away from extended family.

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

In a 2021 study by Scott et al. on adolescents' challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers analyzed open-ended responses from a diverse group of high schoolers ($$N = 719$$) to the question: “What are your three biggest challenges right now?” The 30-minute survey also included instruments assessing physical and mental health symptoms. Using open and axial coding, they identified $$N = 1,902$$ thematic units ($$M = 2.64$$, $$SD = 0.701$$) across 14 categories, such as mental and physical health, family, academics, and socioeconomic issues.

Methods: Qualitative Analysis of Adolescents' Challenges During COVID-19

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.11.010

Scott, S. R., Rivera, K. M., Rushing, E., Manczak, E. M., Rozek, C. S., & Doom, J. R. (2021). “I Hate This”: A Qualitative Analysis of Adolescents' Self-Reported Challenges During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Adolescent Health, 68(2), 262-269.

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