Metatheme Analysis: A Qualitative Method for Cross-Cultural Research

In recent years, there has been a florescence of cross-cultural research using ethnographic and qualitative data. This cutting-edge work confronts range significant methodological challenges, but not yet addressed how thematic analysis can be modified for use in ethnography. Thematic is widely used mixed-methods research, currently well-adapted to designs. We build on existing techniques discuss method inductively identify metathemes (defined here as themes that occur across cultures). Identifying important because enable researchers systematic comparisons patterns datasets describe those rich, contextually-specific ways. demonstrate this with data from collaborative project (exploring weight-related stigma) the same sampling frame, interview protocol, analytic process four sites Samoa, Paraguay, Japan, United States. Detecting transcend collected different languages, cultures, sites, we benefits challenges metatheme analysis.