Volume 32, Issue 5 pp. 1007-1017
REVIEW

Is it possible to use interpretative phenomenological analysis in research with people who have intellectual disabilities?

John Rose

Corresponding Author

John Rose

Centre for Applied Psychology, School of Psychology, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK

Academic Unit, St Andrews Health Care, Northampton, UK

Correspondence

John Rose, Centre for Applied Psychology, School of Psychology, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.

Email: [email protected]

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Kulsoom Malik

Kulsoom Malik

Centre for Applied Psychology, School of Psychology, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK

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Edward Hirata

Edward Hirata

Centre for Applied Psychology, School of Psychology, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK

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Harry Roughan

Harry Roughan

Centre for Applied Psychology, School of Psychology, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK

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Kirsty Aston

Kirsty Aston

Centre for Applied Psychology, School of Psychology, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK

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Michael Larkin

Michael Larkin

Centre for Applied Psychology, School of Psychology, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK

Aston University, Birmingham, UK

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First published: 29 April 2019
Citations: 17

Abstract

Background

This paper examines the appropriateness of using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) in research with people who have intellectual disabilities, focussing on quality.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search to identify published studies. We assessed the quality of the studies using a bespoke framework, adapted from previous reviews, and articles on indicators of “good” IPA work.

Results

Twenty-eight papers were reviewed. The studies were of varying quality: 6 (22%) papers were rated as “good” quality; 16 (57%) were “acceptable”, and 6 (21%) were “poor.” This ratio was comparable to that found in assessments of IPA papers in other domains, suggesting that issues of quality reflect researcher competence, rather than challenges with the population.

Conclusions

IPA can be an appropriate methodology to use with people with intellectual disabilities. We encourage researchers to develop more detailed analyses, to provide more transparency about their sampling strategies, and more detail of the characteristics of their samples.

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