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Using interpretative phenomenological analysis for public health nutrition and dietetic research: a practical guide

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 March 2007

Stephanie Fade
Stephanie Fade*
Affiliation:
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Royal Brompton Hospital, Sydney Street, London, SW3 6NP, UK
*
Corresponding author:Stephanie Fade, fax +44 2073 51 8990, email stephanie@fadeg.plus.com
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Abstract

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The present paper introduces interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) as a framework for analysing qualitative research data collected for public health nutrition and dietetic research studies. The theoretical roots of IPA have been set out briefly in order to help researchers decide whether the approach is relevant for them and their particular research questions. IPA can be used to analyse data from one-to-one interviews in order to develop ‘thick descriptions’ that may help illuminate human experience. IPA can also be used to develop theories and/or models, which could help inform policy. The main body of the paper describes the analytical techniques and procedures used to achieve both outcomes in a practical way, using examples from the author's own research. In the following paper Krueger's methods for analysing focus group data are set out for comparison. It is hoped that these papers will empower researchers with little experience of qualitative research to develop confidence with qualitative data analysis. In addition, it is hoped that the material will stimulate debate amongst more experienced qualitative researchers from a public health or dietetic background.

Keywords

Interpretative phenomenological analysisQualitative researchNutritionDietetics
Type
Workshop on ‘Developing qualitative research method skills: analysing and applying your results’
Information
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society , Volume 63 , Issue 4 , November 2004 , pp. 647 - 653
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2004

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