Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Abstract

Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) is a qualitative approach concerned with the detailed exploration of individual lived experience. This entry starts off by exploring the method’s theoretical underpinnings in phenomenology and hermeneutics. It then outlines, with detailed examples, the suggested steps for conducting an IPA study. The initial stages of how to define a suitable research question and collect data are covered. The entry then makes explicit each stage of analysis, which encompasses detailed initial note making, uncovering emergent themes, creating individual and group tables of themes, and writing up. The entry then offers an example of an existing IPA study, the authors’ longitudinal exploration of what it is like to receive a kidney from a living donor. Specifically, a theme relating to how participants’ sense of self grew throughout the dynamic process of kidney transplantation is related. The entry concludes with sections on how to evaluate IPA work and developments of the methodology, for example, multimodal and multiperspectival IPA.

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