Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis
Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (also known as IPA) is a qualitative research design which aims to provide a thorough examination of lived experience. According to Smith and Osborn (2015), IPA “produces an account of lived experience in its own terms rather than one prescribed by pre-existing theoretical preconceptions” (para 1). Further IPA allows for an interpretative endeavor on the part of the participants and researcher, as humans are sense-making organisms. IPA is a useful methodology in which to examine complex topics or situations (e.g. phenomena), often which are emotionally laden and difficult to define.
Sampling:
Non-probability Sampling Purposeful/Criterion Sampling
Data Collection (Methods):
In depth, semi-structured interviews, Personal Documents/Artifacts Conversations, Participant observation, Focus-group meetings, Participants’ journals
Analysis:
IPA (like transcendental phenomenology) has strict protocols for analysis. There are noted methods, but all require some sort of coding process, and do not utilize theory as the benchmark for beginning analysis, but rather that the research create meaning from the data as a “bottom up” process.
Recommended Resources:
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Sage.
Saldaña, J. (2016). The coding manual for qualitative researchers (3rd ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Sage.
Seidman, I. (2013). Interviewing as qualitative research: A guide for researchers in education and the social sciences (4th ed.). New York, NY: Teachers College Press.
Smith, J.A., Flowers, P., & Larkin, M. (2009). Interpretive phenomenological analysis: Theory, method, and research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage