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

Dados Bibliográficos

ID2410885
AutoresBrad Love (0000-0003-0828-9876), Arlene Vetere (0000-0002-5174-0266), Paul Davis (0000-0003-0306-2664)
Ano2020
Volume19
Data de publicação2020-01-01
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoInternational Journal of Qualitative Methods (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1609-4069 • E-ISSN: 1609-4069
EditoraSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1609406920921600
OpenAlexW3032336527
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas46
Referências citadas19

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

Cognitive psychology · Epistemology · Focus (optics · Focus group · Hermeneutics · Interpretative phenomenological analysis · Nomothetic and idiographic · Phenomenology (philosophy · Qualitative research · Set (abstract data type · Social science · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Computer Science · Mental Health and Psychiatry · Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare · Psychology · Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications · Philosophy · Social Psychology