Should Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) be Used With Focus Groups? Navigating the Bumpy Road of “Iterative Loops,” Idiographic Journeys, and “Phenomenological Bridges”

Abstract

Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) is a qualitative thematic approach developed within psychology underpinned by an idiographic philosophy, thereby focusing on the subjective lived experiences of individuals. However, it has been used in focus groups of which some have been critical because of the difficulties of extrapolating the individual voice which is more embedded within the group dynamics and the added complexity of multiple hermeneutics occurring. Some have adapted IPA for use with focus groups, while others provide scant regard to these philosophical tensions. This raises the question whether IPA should be used with focus group data. To address these concerns, this article will set out a step-by-step guide of how IPA was adapted for use with focus groups involving drug using offenders (including illustrative examples with participants’ quotes). A rationale of why it was important to use both focus groups and an IPA approach will be covered including the value, merits, and challenges this presented. An overview of how participants’ idiographic accounts of their drug use, relapse, and recovery were developed will be provided. This article will conclude with a suggested way forward to satisfy the theoretical tensions and address the question raised in the title.

A Qualitative Study of Child and Adolescent Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ireland

“…The process consists of first categorising each transcript into broad themes and through continued review translating the data into more specific themes [32]. In line with the IPA approach, focuses on the subjective lived experiences of people [33], and, therefore, the researchers demonstrate reflexivity throughout the study [34]. To elaborate, reflexivity encourages the researchers to consider how their subjective worldviews may impact the research process.…”

The Development of a Health Promotion Program for Unmarried Mothers Living in Residential Facilities Using Urban Forests: An Intervention Mapping Approach Based on the Transtheoretical Model

“…Therefore, it is judged as suitable for an in-depth evaluation of the needs of UMLFs who face various mental health issues. This is also supported by the argument that IPA, as an analysis method, is appropriate for groups of people with highly emotional and complex psychological needs, who can be considered as the vulnerable stratum [51]. Moreover, only nine UMLFs participated in the qualitative analysis to assess the needs of UMLFs.…”

‘Still living with it even though it's gone’: Using interpretive phenomenological analysis to explore shared experiences of living with and beyond breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer

“…Cross-case analysis of each interview and focus group was used to code themes, to identify patterns, and to develop a final coding framework representing multiple perspectives. To further explore relationships in the data, interview and focus group interpretations were reconsidered by conducting an additional iterative loop (Love, 2020). The iterative loop involved tabulating themes across data sources, allowing for individual and group-level comparisons of the final coding framework.…”