Braun and Clarke (2006) discusses how to perform a thematic analysis for qualitative studies. They define thematic analysis as a “method for identifying, analysing and reporting patterns (themes) within data” (Braun & Clarke, 2006, p. 79). Braun and Clarke discuss how there is no clear way to go about a thematic analysis or what it is. Braun and Clarke define a theme as identifying an important piece of data in relation to a research question that represents a pattern in responses (Braun & Clarke, 2006, p. 81). They create a foundational framework for analyzing qualitative data: familiarize yourself with the data, generate an initial code, search for themes, review themes, define and name themes then produce the report (Braun & Clarke, 2006, p.87). This study utilized the process outlined by Braun and Clarke to analyze SLOMW.
Hall (1997) discussed how important representation is while examining culture. Hall defines culture as a “shared meaning” and based on the circuit of culture, finds that representation is the key moment (Hall, 1997). The chapter contains three representation approaches, reflective, internal, and constructionist. Hall recommends the constructionist theory because its approach has had the most impact on cultural studies; broken down into two models of the approach, semiotic and discursive. This chapter provides a foundational framework for representation theory and discusses how media functions to communicate meaning. The chapter acknowledges critiques for these approaches, from Foucault, who argued that representation theory is how humans understand themselves in culture. Hall successfully demonstrates how representation theory is constructive of the media. This study utilizes Hall’s framework as a guideline for defining the church’s culture through constructist theory.
Brzenchek and Castañeda uses a textual analysis to analyze gender affluence in Real House Wives, discussing hyperfemininity, consumer culture, and neoliberalism. The study compares the RHW to Sex and the City, finding how RHW’s resembles and differs from fictional portrayals of gender affluence. Brzenchek and Castañeda’s study highlights hyperfemininity as a performance, consumer culture as identity and reinforcing neoliberalism ideals of individuality. Brzenchek and Castañeda's final argument is that reality TV promotes a neoliberal agenda by blending emotional engagement with self performance. This study provides a foundational framework on how to analyze TV through gender affluence, which allowed me to find common themes between RHW and SLOMW.
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