Hi Susan.

I also used IPA in my last research. I found I did not need any training, as the book of the same title (Smith, Flowers and Larkin) is pretty self-explanatory. Essentially you need to get close to and be a part of the phenomenon you are investigating, and everything that helps this makes it easier. IMO, this is the best kind of research you can do. Just my opinion though. J

In my case, I researched international school directors. In order to understand the international school, I took a job at one for five years in middle-management and teaching. In this way, my understanding of the issues in these schools was way ahead of most other (but by no means all) academics in the field: from a phenomenological perspective. When it came to do my research, I chose countries where I spoke the language, meaning that I also got a real idea of what was going on around me (with the local for example), and not just the English speaking ex-pats.

My advice, if you haven't already got it, buy the book and read it.

I hope this helps, and good luck!

Alex

This is the best technique, and this is real rersearchin social scinces I belive, must go for it, but traininga are not most common in this area

Thank you Alexander and Qamar,

I haven't got a copy of the Smith, Flowers & Larkin book yet but will be doing this soon. I have read many journal articles and book chapters though.

It sounds like your research into international schools was an interesting one. My research involves high achieving adolescents and at this stage, I plan to use a combination of vlogs/journals and interviews to gain an insight into how they make sense of the impact of the school environment on their psychological well-being.