Qualitative content analysis is an often-used method in nursing science. It is a method for systematically describing and explaining the meaning of qualitative data material. The literature about qualitative content analysis is comprehensive and complex, and therefore it can be difficult for novices to use the method. In this article, we introduce qualitative content analysis and present a hands-on description of how to conduct an inductive qualitative content analysis.
The hands-on description is outlined in four steps: 1) obtain an overall impression of the material; 2) identify and extract meaning units with analytical questions; 3) compose meaning units into descriptive categories; and 4) link categorized meaning units to develop explanatory themes. The analytical steps are illustrated with examples from a focus group study that explores the views of municipal healthcare providers and general practitioners on preventable hospitalizations. Conclusively, methodological reflections on validity, reliability and transferability are provided.