There's the distinction between inductive and deductive approaches: An inductive approach involves allowing the data to determine your themes. A deductive approach involves coming to the data with some preconceived themes you expect to find reflected there, based on theory or existing knowledge.

Is thematic analysis inductive?

In an inductive approach, the themes identified are strongly linked to the data. This means that the process of coding occurs without trying to fit the data into a pre-existing theory or framework. ... A thematic analysis can also combine inductive and deductive approaches.

Is reflexive thematic analysis inductive?

Reflexive thematic analysis starts with a theme or research question and an approach to investigate it. ... In terms of theoretical approach to analysis, B&C's approach is agnostic: they list possible approaches as inductive/deductive, semantic/latent, and critical realist/constructionist or a mix of those.