Reflexive Thematic Analysis in Military Research: Insights from a Thai Military Academy
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Abstract
This article examined the application of Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) within the context of a military academy, focusing specifically on the Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Air Force Academy (NKRAFA) in Thailand. Military academies offer a distinctive research environment characterized by rigid hierarchies, cultural traditions, and power dynamics that influence both participant responses and the research process. The researcher’s positionality, including prior affiliations and perceived authority, significantly influences participant responses, necessitating a reflexive approach to data interpretation. Semi-structured interviews were employed in this study to demonstrate Braun and Clarke’s six-phase RTA in the analysis of the motivational dynamics of Thai air cadets learning English as a second language (L2). Themes related to motivational challenges, adaptability, and institutional influences on language learning were revealed through the analysis, all of which were shaped by individual dispositions and hierarchical pressures. The flexibility of RTA and its emphasis on researcher reflexivity are essential for navigating the ethical and practical complexities of this hierarchical setting, enabling a nuanced interpretation of cadets’ experiences. This paper emphasizes the value of RTA in highly structured environments, where reflexive engagement with data and attention to researcher positionality enriches analysis. The study calls for further research applying RTA in various military institutions to explore how structural variations influence participants’ experiences. Additionally, cross-cultural studies utilizing RTA in international military contexts could offer insights into the intersection of cultural diversity and military hierarchy, contributing to the development of more inclusive and adaptive training programs in military education.
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บทความที่ได้รับการตีพิมพ์เป็นลิขสิทธิ์ของวารสารมนุษยศาสตร์และสังคมศาสตร์ นายเรืออากาศ
ข้อความที่ปรากฎในบทความแต่ละเรื่องในวารสารวิชาการเล่มนี้ เป็นความคิดเห็นส่วนตัวของผู้เขียนแต่ละท่าน ไม่เกี่ยวข้องกับโรงเรียนนายเรืออากาศฯ และคณาจารย์ท่านอื่น ๆในโรงเรียนนายเรืออากาศฯ แต่อย่างใด ความรับผิดชอบขององค์ประกอบทั้งหมดของบทความแต่ละเรื่องเป็นของผู้เขียนแต่ละท่าน หากมีความผิดพลาดใด ๆ ผู้เขียนแต่ละท่านจะรับผิดชอบบทความของตนเองแต่เพียงผู้เดียว
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