I am doing a minor thesis to explore the role of support networks in enhancing the well-being of older people in my ethnic community. My study will examine their lived experiences through interviews with six older individuals and three service providers. I am considering using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and would like to know if it is the most appropriate approach. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
IPA can be viable. Read Jonathon Smith's latest texts and articles. A common problem is confusing IPA with descriptive phenomenologyl
Yes. Just be weary of too much volume. So make sure your interview questions are aligned to your research questions or objectives. Avoid unnecessary questions that may dilute the study.
Based on my acquired knowledge and experience, I believe that the IPA would be effective for your study, aligning well with its shared objectives. As noted by David C. Coker, latest publications like the work of Smith and Osborn (2014) would be beneficial to gain a comprehensive understanding about IPA. Additionally, Eatough and Smith (2017) have provided a clear overview of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).
References
IPA is a great qualitative analysis method for any researcher who wants to gain a deeper understanding of how participants perceive a certain phenomenon through their lived experiences. Sample size tends to be relatively small between 6 and 9. However, the method needs to be rigorous and transparent.
The second edition of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis: Theory, Method and Research by Smith, Flowers, & Larkin (2022) would be the best place to look. In general, IPA is very intensive, so it might be a bit much for a "minor thesis."
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