Lecture 5: Interpretative Phenomenological analysis in social psychology:

Question 1

Elements of phenomenology to focus on

Answer 1

Phenomenology as a method: interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA; Smith, 1996)
Phenomenological = phenomena
A “lived experience” = individual (idiographic)
We can ask!
Events can be described
Relationships can be spoken about
What emotions were felt…

Question 2

The “I” in IPA

Answer 2

Critical approach
Interpretation as opposed to letting the data “speak for itself”
We, the researcher, “making sense” of the interviewee (who is also making sense)
Another I: us, the researcher !
Our own assumptions, expectations need to be “managed”

Question 3

What kind of Social topics can We “use” IPA on?

Answer 3

A huge variety/range of topics!
Voluntary childlessness – women who choose not to have children (Shaw, 2011)
The impact of being diagnosed with HIV (Flowers, Davis, Larkin & Marriott, 2011)
How people make sense of violence (Shaw, 2004)
Living with osteoarthritis as an ex-professional footballer (Turner, Barlow & Ilbery, 2002)

We can use experiential accounts:
Individual interviews
Written descriptions
Diaries

Question 4

Interview questions (the Good)

Answer 4

Can you tell me about how you came to get the job?
(narrative)
Please could you tell me what you do in your job?
(descriptive)
What are the main differences between a good day and a bad day?
(contrast)
Can you tell me more about that?
(prompts)
What do you mean by “unfair”?
(probes)

Question 5

Doing the interview

Answer 5

“Semi-structured” which means:
Pre-determined questions, but more flexibility
Order can be modified

“Active listening”

Researcher is sensitive to what is said and probes further: is responsive to “unexpectedness

Question 6

How do we do the analysis?

Answer 6

Transcribe audio-recorded data verbatim (word-for-word)
Readings and first impressions
Chunk into “meaning units” (a few lines at a time)
Pay really close attention to each “chunk” of lines
Write descriptions to summarise what is said in those few lines
Can be “messy”!

Question 7

Making sense of the data

Answer 7

Then we start to think about what the data mean
Look for patterns, contradictions, imagery, language use
What do the data tell us about what the phenomenon means to this individual?
What do the data tell us about the individual and how they present themselves to others in the world
Initial interpretations…

Question 8

Thinking about themes

Answer 8

Start by identifying patterns, inconsistences, particular language use, imagery
We examine those in detail & ask ourselves – what do they mean? How do they help us answer our research question?
Then start to collect data extracts together which represent particular issues or themes

Question 9

End result (the write-up)

Answer 9

Day & Shaw (2020)
Themes:
intersubjective sense making of the condition
battles for control
the fluidity and strengthening of identity

Question 10

Quality markers in Qualitative research

Answer 10

Sensitivity to context
Commitment and rigour
Transparency and coherence
Impact and importance

Question 11

What makes “good” IPA research in social psychology?

Answer 11

There must be a clear focus
“Strong data”
Rigorous
Themes should be elaborated on fully
Interpretative not just descriptive!
Capture the “uniqueness” of individual experience
Well written (an engaging, “story telling” approach to write-up)