Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and Psychology - Assignment Example

?Interpretative phenomenological analysis and psychology Interpretative phenomenological analysis and psychology IPA (interpretativephenomenological analysis) is a psychological means of qualitative research that contains an ideographic aim, which implies that it centers to provide insights into how certain people in any context, makes sense of a particular situation or phenomenon (Heron, 1996). IPA provides psychology with the mixed research methods. Mix research method is the process of examining past events in a systematic way to account for what has happened in certain field or discipline using various methods. A major goal of using methods is to communicate and understand past events in a chosen field of study (Bryman, 1996). According to the systematic review of the literature as per the medical teacher, gathering of data is very essential in research. Poor collection of data can negatively influence the results of a survey and give invalid outcomes. Data collection techniques for a particular evaluation vary along a range. This range varies from the quantitative methods to the qualitative methods (Reid et al, 2005). Interpretative phenomenological analysis is based on the arguments that Husserl made when he tried to carry out research concerning philosophical science of the human mind and interpretation theory. This paper illustrates the implications a person can subscribe in case of a vital issue of concern but acquisition of such implication can be attained via interpretative course (Willig, 2001). It is significant to note that interpretative phenomenological analysis recognizes the engagement of a researcher with the text of the participants that contain interpretative aspects unlike other research methods (Shaw, 2001). IPA takes a stand called epistemological in which careful assessment and deep interpretative means is applied. In turn, this makes it easy to attain meaning or implication that we eventual give to our cognitive and feelings. In addition, IPA gets some of its basics or principles from the tenets of Gadamer’s philosophy that talks about of hermeneutics and can aid in comprehending participants’ text (Smith et al, 2009). IPA and psychology are related when compared to the means of data collection. The Quantitative data collection depends on structured data collection tools and random sampling which suits the varied experiences into preset response groups. They create outputs that are easy to generalize, summarize, and compare. However, in this article we find that quantitative research relies on the testing of hypothesis with the information attained from the research results or discoveries. It is common to give participants certain treatments in a biased manner based on the question contained in the research (Kaufman, 2003). In most cases, such kind of research incorporates a big number of people who are respondents. In addition, it contains measurement of certain information or data. This derives assistance from several statistical tools such as experiments, newspapers, archives, internet, and journals. Additionally, it carries out survey using questionnaires and interviews. An interview is perceived as a systematic element in research because the researcher poses questions to all participants in an unbiased manner. Interviews can be carried out on a specific group of people referred to as a focus group in the research. Individual and focus group interviews are very important aspects for collecting vital information or data about certain beliefs or norms from a big sample or population. In research, focus group has five to fifteen individuals or participants while interviews are performed on an individual terms (Mays & Pope, 2000). Focus group is very essential in research because it assists the researcher to produce more concepts and thoughts than individual interviews. This qualifies the focus group to be applied in qualitative research since it is reliable (Shaw, 2001). This research works illustrates the type of questionnaires means of representation is needed for research activity. Questionnaires differ in that they can be web or paper based. The paper based questionnaires are utilized in a big sample or where there are many respondents. The questions present in the questionnaire might contain preset options (Mays & Pope, 2000). IPA demands that a researcher gathers data or information from semi-structured interviews. In this case, the researcher is required to create a prompt sheet that highlights main topics or themes for discussion with the research participants. It is significant to note that the interview schedule or plan forms the platform for discussion between the researcher and the participants. It does not aim to be prescriptive and thus not limited because of the over ambitious interests or demands of the participants. The interviewee should be in the lead when conducting an interview and during discussion. Collected data or information is not limited or bounded to interviews. There is a potential to apply various sources such as individual experiences, returns, letters and diaries in case the researcher informs individuals to take and document notes on their ideas, thoughts and experience. It is advisable to assess and evaluate each source used in data collection in order to determine their accuracy since it can be influenced by economic, political, and religious conditions. Further, it is essential to subject the sources in outside and internal criticism, which can help in determining the accuracy, trustworthiness and authenticity of the gathered data. IPA evaluation and analysis centers around deep reading and re-reading of different texts (Smith & Osborn, 2008). The researcher should document observations, reflections and experiences which takes place while reading the material or text . The notes taken include things such as comments, participants and researchers questions, description, used language, and remerging phrases. At this phase, the notes are utilized to illustrate what the researcher observes while reading or interacting with the material or text. IPA also uses synthesis in researcher. Synthesis in research is the selecting, structuring, and analyzing the materials gathered into central concepts and topical themes. They joined to form an important and meaningful report for the about the patient. From the above information, after data had been collected, IPA presents the research subject at the center of focus to validate the findings. It is known that in research, nothing such as aview exist because the researcher do everything that pertains the research. IPA strives to implement positive stages of recognizing and underpinning the role of researcher. In research, the thoughts, experiences and feelings of an interviewer are known to be open and thus legal aspects of investigation, and their divergence from participant’s feelings and experiences are issues of in depth investigation (Henwood & Pigeon, 1992). This vibrant stance has consequences which is the need for IPA to create an individual self awareness that advocates for self reflections on all experiences. The aspect of self reflection is developed at every phase of IPA training or learning. This has made it a prerequisite when teaching IPA in schools. Students should bring their existing level of self-reflection in class, which the teacher need to encourage and develop (Kaufman, 2003). In most cases, individuals are unwilling to disclose their confidential data before the researcher. This in turn lead to data or information manipulation. In addition, web based type of questionnaire should be applied in case of personal questions (Kaufman, 2003). When using the internet to answer questions, it is not easy for the data or information to be manipulated because of the means used in disclosing the information. Since qualitative research concerns human actions and norms towards a certain event, the questions that the researcher asks should be open ended. This research attempts to identify means to solve certain problems. This are applied to gauge the accuracy and validity of the study that is qualitative. The outcomes attained are not subject to generalizations, which makes it hard to get a particular conclusion (Smith, 1996). Observation comprises of the orderly noting and witnessing occurrences, behaviors, perceptions and the objects present in the setting chosen for the survey. The observational documentation is often known as field notes, which involves unbiased, detailed, and real explanation of what has been observed (Spineli, 2005). For studies depending solely on observation, the researcher plays no role or makes no effort to influence the setting. In the focus group interview, the investigator does not try to convince the group to arrive at a decision. This type of interview is generally conducted on a group of individuals having same characteristics, for example for knowing the perception of kids about the internet games, a group of children from 8-12 years can be chosen who are highly associated with internet games (Smith & Osborn, 2008). As it is an interview, therefore taking notes can often prove to be difficult. A video or audio recorder might be implemented to solve this issue. Focus group technique can suffer from the problems of group dynamics like power struggles. In addition, the group members might feel reluctant to present their opinions publicly. The focus group approach when combined with other data collection techniques, exhibits better outcomes. Other technique implies the presentation of particular situations (Smith et al, 2003). The researcher presents a scenario to the individuals and asks them to interpret it. The various interpretations reveal the various mindsets of the people. These responses are recorded through devices that include narrative field logs, notebooks, and diaries (Gray, 2011). IPA studies involve evaluation and examination of the meaning and experiences of one participant. To some extent, IPA when applied to psychology might base on the accounts of small number of individuals. Participants in the study are invited to engage precisely since they can offer the researcher some significant insight or information into the topic of research. In most cases, participants in the IPA study have to meet certain expectations and experiences with each other. This is because when they have common experiences, it is easy to form a shared perspective (Larkin et al, 2006). It is significant to note that phenomenology in psychology places the experience of participants at the centre of the current psychological dialogue about people’s lived experiences and their implications or meanings. The qualitative psychologist is aiming to see and understand what surrounds us (Thompson et al, 2002). During data analysis, IPA uses a bottom up method. This implies that the researcher produces certain codes from the data instead of utilizing existing theory to locate or identify codes that may be used to the data. Data collection is very significant since it involves spotting, locating, and collecting data on the research topic. The data sources are found in important documents such as relic, interviews, newspapers, and photographs (Smith et al, 2005). Following data collection, IPA’s aim is achieved via interpretative activity on the part of the researcher. IPA emphasizes or stress that research is an active process that requires the researcher to work tirelessly to attain his or her goals (Flowers et al, 1997). In conclusion, IPA and psychology are related in that IPA provides insights into how certain people in any context, makes sense of a particular situation or phenomenon. People especially student get it helpful it offers a good way of doing research. Further, IPA incorporates other subjects in order to motivate and encourage strong interest for autonomous judgment. Ideas for the research topics can be from different sources such as the accomplishments of a person, current issues in education, relationship between events. References Bryman, A. (1988). Quality and quantity in social research. 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(2005) Exploring lived experience: An introduction to Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The Psychologist, Reid, K., Flowers, P., & Larkin, M. (2005). Exploring lived experience, The Psychologist. Smith, J. A & Osborn, M. (2008). Interpretative phenomenological analysis. In JA Smith (Ed) Qualitative Psychology: A Practical Guide to Methods (second ed). London: Sage. Smith, J. A. (1996b). Qualitative methodology: Analyzing participants? perspectives. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 9, 417-421. Shaw, R. L. (2001). Why use interpretative phenomenological analysis in Health Psychology? Health Psychology Update, 10, 48-52. Smith, J., Jarman, M. & Osborne, M. (1999). Doing interpretative phenomenological analysis. In M. Murray & K. Chamberlain (Eds.), Qualitative Health Psychology. London: Sage. Smith, J.A. & Osborn, M. (2003) Interpretative phenomenological analysis. In J.A. Smith (Ed.), Qualitative Psychology: A Practical Guide to Methods. London: Sage. Smith, J.A., Flowers, P. and Larkin, M. (2009). Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis: Theory Method and Research. London: Sage. Spinelli, E. (2005). The interpreted world: an introduction to phenomenological psychology. (2nd. ed.) London: Sage. Thompson, A. R., Kent, G. & Smith, J. A. (2002). Living with vitiligo: Dealing with difference. British Journal of Health Psychology, 7: 213 - 225. Willig, C. (2001). Introducing Qualitative Research in Psychology: Adventures in theory and method. Buckingham: Open University Press. Read More