Thanks Rick and Bulb for the information. I thought I could use Thematic or framework for data collection of my Study 1 and 2. As far as I know and like you said, framework is more structure. I also heard that you use it when you have a priori. I am not sure if this is always the case. But I couldn't find any sources to justify this and I couldn't ask my 4 supervisors: 3 suggested me to use these approaches and one asked why use ramework but not the other?. I also know for sure they will throw the same question in my face on my first viva. So I have to figure out now how to answer the question.

Hi, greatly appreciate if anyone can help me to point out the differences between these two approaches. I need to carry out two studies. Study 1: the method to collect the data will be based on structured questionnaires and semi-structured interview. Study 2: the method will be based on in-depth interviews. For Study 1, my supervisors told me to use thematic approach to do data analysis as it involves semi-structured interviews and Study 2, go with framework analysis. Thematic for study 1 sounds logically enough to me but I don't understand why I need to use Framework for study 2 as I don't see the differences. From my reading for qualitative approaches, Thematic is more easier to do and learn when comparing to the other ones. Also, both Thematic and Framework share similar methodological principles, such as identifying, analysing and reporting themes/patterns within data. But the procedures may vary, which Framework has a more structure laid out. Please let me know if I am right on this point?

I thought I can use Thematic for both studies. Can someone please tell me the differences between them? and examples when to choose thematic and not framework? Many thanks for your help.

Hi Debbie,

Sorry to hear what happened to you. I am very much in the same boat. After you have filed a complaint, that said, you can no longer work with the same supervisor. In your case, I suggest that you should seek help from the student adviser and then file an academic appeal. The department or school will try and protect the staff member. In my case, they also refused to give me a new supervisor until I have gone through the first year viva and if you were against this, like I had, they will make it harder for you to stay on. The supervisors will never admit what they said like in my case; they said my report was good and etc, in the viva meeting, they put me on stand and a lot of questions and told me I missed out this and that when they had my paper for months. They put me on another probation period just so I would not file another complaint. The relationship has broken down completely. So good luck with you case and better get it sorted soon.

Sorry for long text but I need help & your advice will be greatly appreciated. I started my PhD in 2007.
I had 3 supervisors (1,2,3) and #1 was my principal supervisor. #2 & 3 never supervised a PhD student and my #1 might not have any experience either. After 10 weeks, I started to have problem with my #1 who didn’t want to meet & give feedback. But she asked a lot: systematic review and publication in my 1st year. Since I owned her the gratitude for giving me maintenance fee, I tried to work hard & shut up. After 6 mts, conflicts btw supervisors, my #3 told me to see PhD postgraduate committee for a change of #1. The guy didn't believe what I said & things didn’t get anywhere. After 9 mts, at this time my #2 was planning to go on maternal leave for a year & #3 was moving to different univ. Since my 1st yr review was coming in 3 mts, I needed the support, colleagues advised to request for a change ASAP. #2 supervisor rejected the idea & said I owned #1 the gratitude. The Head of School turned me down for the change: I went against a senior staff, I owned a big gratitude and so I should keep #1, and if I publish any paper, #1 name should be on there. I said I paid international tuition fee for my PhD, it was not all free. It then took me months with no results for new principal supervisor. Finally, I went to the College with the help of Student Adviser. The college acted on my favor & created a supervision panel with 4 supervisors but no principal supervisor and so no main contact: my #2 & #3 old supervisors & 2 new ones. Anyway, my supervisors have not made my life easy after I involved the College. They created a supervision agreement which I had to have a doctor note if I miss a meeting & I couldn’t see them about my work unless extremely emergency.

In 3/2009, I had 1st year viva but failed due to missing 1 study and the method was unclear. My supervisors had my report for 4 mts but no one said anything about this that makes me lost trust in them. They also put me on stand with questions at the panel. I feel they wanted to fail me at the time but didn’t do it cause they afraid I would file a complaint. So the panel gave me 6 mts to makeup. My supervisors made me worked 60% than what was asked from the panel. I finished 3 chapters of my thesis since, but they have lost interests in my work They don’t want to give me more support & try to cover their back. Feedback fr 3 supervisors are mostly verbal, no editing on my 2nd report that is going to 2nd panel. If I clarified anything especially the admin side, they made it so tough and included head of school, postgraduate committee etc. I talked to my #2 supervisor, who didn’t care & made me felt dumb for asking questions. I feel that my supervisors want to fail me at 2nd panel. I wanted to quit now & go somewhere else but will get nothing or even after 2nd panel. I'm now dreadful to see their emails. I can no longer cry after 2.5 yrs stress. Don't know I should carry on with 2nd panel/leave