Summary Qualitative content analysis as described in published literature shows
conflicting opinions and unsolved issues regarding meaning and use of concepts,
procedures and interpretation. This paper provides an overview of important
concepts (manifest and latent content, unit of analysis, meaning unit, condensation,
abstraction, content area, code, category and theme) related to qualitative content
analysis; illustrates the use of concepts related to the research procedure; and
proposes measures to achieve trustworthiness (credibility, dependability and trans-
ferability) throughout the steps of the research procedure. Interpretation in
qualitative content analysis is discussed in light of Watzlawick et al.’s [Pragmatics
of Human Communication. A Study of Interactional Patterns, Pathologies and
Paradoxes. W.W. Norton & Company, New York, London] theory of communication.
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