Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis: Theory, Method and Research

by Jonathan A. Smith, Paul Flowers, Michael Larkin

Overview

Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) is a qualitative research approach committed to the examination of how people make sense of their major life experiences. This text provides a detailed guide to conducting IPA research, presenting the theoretical underpinnings of the approach, a comprehensive overview of the stages of an IPA research project, and examples of high-quality IPA studies.

Extended worked examples from the authors' own studies in health, psychological distress, and identity illustrate the breadth and depth of IPA research, making this book the definitive guide to IPA for students and researchers alike.

New to this edition:

- A thoroughly updated chapter dedicated to analysis

- An exemplary mini-study

- Improved and updated terminology

- A chapter discussing innovations in design, data collection, and collaboration

'It is not often I can use "accessible" and "phenomenology" in the same sentence, but reading the new book, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis…certainly provides me the occasion to do so. I can say this because these authors provide an engaging and clear introduction to a relatively new analytical approach' - The Weekly Qualitative Report

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781529753806
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	03/02/2022
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.69(w) x 9.53(h) x (d)

About the Author

Jonathan A. Smith is Professor of Psychology at Birkbeck University of London, UK where he leads the interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) research group. He has written many articles applying IPA to a range of areas in health, clinical and social psychology. He is co- author (with Paul Flowers and Michael Larkin) of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis: Theory, Method and Research (Sage, 2009). He also has a wider interest in qualitative psychology generally and has co-edited a number of books in the area.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The theoretical foundations of IPA
3. Planning an IPA research study
4. Collecting data
5. Analysis
6. Writing
7. Advanced designs
8. The relationship between IPA and perspectives in the Human Sciences
9. Assessing validity and quality
IPA Research
10. Health and illness
11. Psychological distress
12. Identity and Life transitions
13. Conclusion and reflections on future developments

Editorial Reviews

I have been using this book since it was published - recommending it to undergraduate and postgraduate students both as the definitive account of the IPA approach and as an accessible introduction to experiential qualitative research more broadly. The chapters on designing an IPA study, collecting and analysing data, and writing up an IPA study in particular are excellent...This book remains an invaluable addition to the toolkit of resources for teachers and students of qualitative research, and I thoroughly recommend it to both.

Psychology: Learning and Teaching, Volume 9, Number 1 - Victoria Clarke

'I have been using this book since it was published - recommending it to undergraduate and postgraduate students both as the definitive account of the IPA approach and as an accessible introduction to experiential qualitative research more broadly. The chapters on designing an IPA study, collecting and analysing data, and writing up an IPA study in particular are excellent...This book remains an invaluable addition to the toolkit of resources for teachers and students of qualitative research, and I thoroughly recommend it to both' -
Psychology: Learning and Teaching, Volume 9, Number 1

From the Publisher