Systematic Pragmatic Phenomenological Analysis: Step‐wise guidance for mixed methods research

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundStructural Pragmatic Phenomenological Analysis (SPPA) is a pragmatic‐phenomenological methodology integrating qualitative and quantitative research, offering a systematic, sensitive and specific guidance to developing a reflexive understanding of individual experiences and meanings. Applications of SPPA have previously been published, but no systematic overview and guidance.Aim and methodThis article offers an overview and a step‐by‐step guidance of SPPA.ResultSPPA is based on pragmatic‐ontology and critical‐realist epistemology. The overall aim of an SPPA study is to systematically examine the lived experience and meaning of a phenomenon for one or more individuals. This overall aim could be specified in specific research objectives (e.g., ontological status of the phenomenon, type of meaning, approach to meaning, relationship to individual/society, development over time, individual history, sense of freedom, existential and daily life experience). The first part of interview schedules consists of: mindfulness exercises, open introductory questions, questions about time and space, influence of the participant and the context on the experience and meaning. The second part includes specific questions about each research objective, broadening of the perspective, exploring paradoxes and inconsistencies, narrowing the perspective, interpretations, participant decisions and conclusions, and systematic reflexivity. Questionnaires help in understanding individual differences, representativity, reflexivity and hypothesis creation. Analytic steps include macro‐level and micro‐level phenomenological analysis, systematic analysis of research objectives, questionnaire analysis, systematic reflexivity, synthesis per participant, synthesis for all participants and reflection on trustworthiness.DiscussionSPPA offers step‐wise guidance, which can be helpful for trainees and beginning researchers. More applications and research into the experiences of SPPA are needed.