Abstract
As a research methodology, qualitative research method infuses an added advantage to the exploratory capability that researchers need to explore and investigate their research studies. Qualitative methodology allows researchers to advance and apply their interpersonal and subjectivity skills to their research exploratory processes. However, in a study with an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach, the advantageous elements of the study quadruple because of the bonding relationship that the approach allows for the researchers to develop with their research participants. Furthermore, as a qualitative research approach, IPA gives researchers the best opportunity to understand the innermost deliberation of the ‘lived experiences’ of research participants. As an approach that is ‘participant-oriented’, interpretative phenomenological analysis approach allows the interviewees (research participants) to express themselves and their ‘lived experience’ stories the way they see fit without any distortion and/or prosecution. Therefore, utilizing the IPA approach in a qualitative research study reiterates the fact that its main objective and essence are to explore the ‘lived experiences’ of the research participants and allow them to narrate the research findings through their ‘lived experiences’. As such, this paper discusses the historical background of phenomenology as both a theory and a qualitative research approach, an approach that has transitioned into an interpretative analytical tradition. Furthermore, as a resource tool to novice qualitative researchers, this paper provides a step-by-step comprehensive guide to help prepare and equip researchers with ways to utilize and apply the IPA approach in their qualitative research studies. More importantly, this paper also provides an advanced in-depth analysis and usability application for the IPA approach in a qualitatively conducted research study. As such, this paper completely contrasted itself from many books and articles that are written with the premise of providing useful and in-depth information on the subject-matter (phenomenology, as a qualitative approach).
Highlights
As a research methodology, qualitative research method infuses an added advantage to the exploratory capability that researchers need to explore and investigate their research studies
IJELS 5(2): 9-19, 2017 such, interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) is seen by many researchers and admirers of the approach as the most ‘participant-oriented’ qualitative research approach; a research approach that shows respect and sensitivity to the ‘lived experiences’ of the research participants
In a qualitative data coding process, researchers are advised to begin their data coding by reading the interview transcripts several times; at least, they are encouraged to read the transcripts three times to get a feel of what the research participants were saying verbally, and to get a better feel of the participants’ ‘state of mind’ vis-à-vis how the subject-matter has affected their ‘lived experiences’
Summary
As a qualitative research approach, phenomenology was first conceptualized and theorized by Husserl (1931) as a way to understand the context of the ‘lived experiences’ of people (research participants) and the meaning of their experiences. Is the ‘lived experiences’ of research participants (phenomenology) and the interpretation (text) of the life they have lived and experienced (hermeneutics) Another well-known theorist and author is Moustakas. This ‘meaning unit’ help transform and transfer the ‘lived experiences’ of the research participants into a sensitive psychological expressions, so that these experiences (‘essences’) can be written in a more reflective and descriptive manner (cited in Creswell, 2013) Another phenomenology theorist and author is Riemen (1986). In today’s research world, IPA approach is used in many qualitative research studies to investigate and interpret the ‘lived experiences’ of people who have experienced similar (common) phenomenon. In phenomenology, there have been specific, structured methods of analysis advanced.” And this advancement by Moustakas is to give phenomenological researchers added advantage in their data analysis
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