Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis explained: Going deeper with IPA, FAQs answered!

Feeling lost in Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA)? You’re not alone. Many PhD students start collecting data feel super excited, only to panic when it’s time to analyse it!

In this video, I break down the most common IPA struggles and show you how to work through them. We’ll cover:

• What “iterative” really means in IPA
• How to honour both individual voices and shared themes
• What to do when participants interpret their own experiences
• Why you’re not chasing “objective truth” but situated meaning
• Whether you’re “doing IPA properly” (and what to do if you’re not)
• Recommended reading and examples

By the end, you’ll feel clearer, more confident, and ready to move forward with your analysis.

To learn more and dive deeper, grab a copy of this book: J. A. Smith, P. Flower and M. Larkin (2009), Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis: Theory, Method and Research. London: Sage.

Chapters
0:00 Interpretative phenomenological analysis – some common worries
0:48 What to do after data collection
3:15 How to find themes in your analysis without losing individual voices
5:17 Your questions and experiences of IPA
6:03 What to do when participants interpret their own experiences
8:03 Think you’re getting IPA wrong? What to do
9:36 Further reading and IPA resources

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