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Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
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Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Theory, Method and Research

Second Edition


December 2021 | 240 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

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

 
1. Introduction
 
2. The theoretical foundations of IPA
 
3. Planning an IPA research study
 
4. Collecting data
 
5. Analysis
 
6. Writing
 
7. Advanced designs and innovative approches
 
8. Connecting IPA with perspectives in the human sciences
 
9. Assessing validity and quality
 
10. Research Exemplar A: Health and illness
 
11. Research Exemplar B: Psychological distress
 
12. Research Exemplar C: Identity and life transitions
 
13. Conclusion and reflections on future developments

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.

Victoria Clarke
University of the West of England
Psychology: Learning and Teaching, Volume 9, Number 1

Seminal text on IPA. Well written

Dr Ben Looker
Institute of Education, Worcester University
December 6, 2022

An essential read for anyone choosing IPA as their methodology. Covers everything you could want to know

Mrs Angela Hodgkins
Institute of Education, Worcester University
August 3, 2022

Useful text for medical imaging qualitative research

Mr Gareth Bolton
Medical Imaging Sciences (Lancaster), University of Cumbria
August 19, 2022

useful for research methods module

Dr Richelle Duffy
Faculty of Health, Social Work & Educ, Northumbria University
October 27, 2022

This is a fantastic resources for both undergraduate and post graduate students trying their hands at IPA. The three chapters on designing an IPA study, collecting and analysing data, and writing up an IPA study serve as a step-by step guide for those using it for the first time and revisiting. Super.

Mrs Eleonora Teszenyi
Faculty of Education, The Open University
June 17, 2022

This is an important text and highly relevant for nursing students. The new edition includes additional information about the latest developments in IPA.

Mr Ben Parkinson
Department of Nursing & Community Health , Glasgow Caledonian University
March 7, 2022

A clear and accurate guide to IPA which is increasingly popular with postgraduate researchers.

Dr Rebecca Kerry O'Rourke
Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, Leeds University
February 15, 2023

Perfect! The best book for teaching IPA

Dr Antonina Pereira
Department of Psychology and Counselling, Chichester University
March 7, 2022

The 1st edition has been a sort of 'holy writ' in my students' (and my) work with IPA - an invaluable resource.
This second edition is likely to be no different. I think the significant changes / additions are these:
The quality measures chapter - very helpful in the contested area of 'quality' in qualitative research;
The introduction of the PET and GET terms as part of the analysis process; and
The extension of the use of examples of exemplary research.
I think this text is a good addition to our resources and I've asked for umpteen copies to be purchased by our library.

Dr Richard Parker
Education,Communication & Language Sciences, Newcastle University
March 16, 2022

Jonathan A. Smith, DPhil

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. More About Author

Paul Flowers

Michael Larkin

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