4.3.1 Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as a suitable research methodology for nursing research (302)

Sherrill Snelgrove, Lecturer, University of Wales Swansea, School of Health Science, Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom S.R.Snelgrove@swansea.ac.uk

Abstract:

The main aim of this paper is to describe and evaluate IPA and discuss its potential and relevance for developing knowledge about patients’ experiences in order to facilitate evidence – based nursing practice. The main characteristics of IPA are illustrated with reference to relevant examples of IPA research into chronic pain. IPA is an ideographic qualitative research methodology concerned with exploring in detail, a participant’s view of a subject in order to gain knowledge of the meaning of a situation or phenomena for the individual (Smith 1994). IPA is phenomenological, in that it aims to offer a clear and reasonable description of individuals’ perception of events or objects, but also interpretative or hermeneutical, explicitly recognising the central role of both the participant and analyst in the final construction of the account.

The final account is viewed as a ‘co - construction’ or translation of experiences by the participant and analyst. IPA has three elements: it represents an epistemological position, offers a set of guidelines for conducting research and describes a corpus of empirical research (Smith 1994). Unlike some qualitative research methodologies, the use of IPA allows a multilevel analysis, including the representational level and a more finely tuned psychological level. To date, IPA has been used predominantly in health psychology (usually with patients) and has been viewed as being of particular use when studying phenomenon with little theoretical explanation.

In this paper I propose that IPA is particularly amenable to nursing research as it offers detailed insights into patient’s beliefs and experiences. It is widely recognised the meaning of conditions for individuals mediates the relationship between the condition, distress and recovery. This ‘bottom up’ approach is consistent with contemporary approaches to healthcare that emphasises listening to service users voices (Reid et al. 2005).

Recommended reading list:

  • Smith, J.A (2004) Reflecting on the devlopment of interpretative phenomenological analysis and its contribution to qualitative research in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 1, 39 – 54
  • Reid, K; Flowers, P; Larkin, M (2005) Exploring lived experience. The Psychologist, vol18, No1, 20 – 23

Source of Funding: N/A

Level of funding: N/A

Biography:

I am a lecturer in Social and behavioural Sciences applied to Nursing. I have a particular interest in chronic pain and the management of pain. I am involved in research into the efficacy of treatments for pain and psychological responses to chroncic pain. A main concern of mine is to feed relevant and useful research findings in this area into the knowledge base of both the student nurses and qualified nurses that I teach.