Interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Abstract

I nterpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA;Smith et al., 2009) is a wellestablished qualitative approach developed to investigate individuals' lived experiences. It is concerned with the particular experiences that individuals have and their meaning making that occurs in relation to those experiences. This approach enables researchers to conduct microlevel explorations of meanings that tap into the wholeness of experiences a person encounters. In trying to understand lived experience, IPA is collaborative because it explores experiential meanings through the interpretative work between the researcher and the participant rather than being a theory-driven examination.In this chapter, we first outline the theoretical underpinnings of IPA, then offer a description of the general principles of the IPA research process. We then present an example of IPA analysis with data taken from a PhD research project conducted by the second author (Fieldsend, 2019) under the supervision of the first author (Smith) on the lived experience of involuntary childlessness. Finally, we point to methodological developments currently happening in the IPA world. Our aim with this chapter, then, is to offer readers an understanding of what IPA is and how it works, and we do this by outlining the key steps in the research process. THEORETICAL UNDERPINNINGS OF IPAIPA is phenomenological in its focus on lived experience, and through interpretative work, it attempts to explore and understand individuals' personal experiences. Phenomenology is often referred to as a "philosophical movement"

Coming Out Strategies on Social Media among Young Gay Men in Malaysia

“…The Interpretative Phenomenological Approach (IPA) was employed to understand the coming out experiences on social media among gay men in present-day Malaysia. We felt that the approach was appropriate given its aim "to explore in detail how participants are making sense of their personal and social world" [36] (p. 53). More importantly, IPA is phenomenological both in scope and nature for three reasons: first, "it involves a detailed examination of the participant's world"; second "it attempts to explore personal experience, "and third "[it] is concerned with an individual's perception or account of an object or event, as opposed to an attempt to produce an objective statement of the object or event itself" [36] (p. 53).…”

“…We felt that the approach was appropriate given its aim "to explore in detail how participants are making sense of their personal and social world" [36] (p. 53). More importantly, IPA is phenomenological both in scope and nature for three reasons: first, "it involves a detailed examination of the participant's world"; second "it attempts to explore personal experience, "and third "[it] is concerned with an individual's perception or account of an object or event, as opposed to an attempt to produce an objective statement of the object or event itself" [36] (p. 53). Furthermore, we employed semi-structured interviews as the primary data collection instrument for this IPA-based study.…”

“…Furthermore, we employed semi-structured interviews as the primary data collection instrument for this IPA-based study. This is because such a method "allows the researcher and participant to engage in a dialogue whereby initial questions are modified in the light of the participants' responses and the investigator can probe interesting and important areas which arise" [36] (p. 57).…”

“…Recording began once consent was obtained and continued throughout our conversations with the participants. The interview followed the IPA semi-structured interviewing process: the researchers (1) established rapport with the respondents, (2) paid less attention to the ordering of the questions, (3) probed interesting areas that arose during the interview, and (4) gauged the participants' interests and concerns [36] (p. 58). The interview questions were constructed based on the IPA questioning techniques, including the use of "prompts" and "funneling", as well as neutral, open-ended, and less-technical questions [36] (pp.…”

“…The interviews were transcribed verbatim, and were analyzed based on the IPA interview data analysis procedures, which include (1) looking for themes in the first case (i.e., interview), (2) connecting the themes, (3) continuing the analysis with other cases (i.e., interviews), and (4) preparing the write-up [36] These procedures were not far off from Braun and Clarke's (2012) thematic analysis of qualitative data, which involves several phases, starting with familiarising oneself with the data, generalizing the initial codes, looking for the themes, revising potential themes, defining and naming themes, and producing a write-up or report [37]. Data validation in this study was conducted using Creswell's (2014) validity strategy, namely member checking to reduce bias and ensure the accuracy of the findings [38].…”