Asking chatgpt on how to employ the Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis in research projects: a note for Housing Studies students

Asking chatgpt on how to employ the Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis in research projects: a note for Housing Studies students

Below is the dialogue with the assistant bot (via poe.com) on how to employ the Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis in a Housing Studies dissertation project

Introduction

I am a part-time Housing Studies student, currently working on the formulation of my final year dissertation project proposal. My dissertation research theme is on how the present housing affordability situation in Hong Kong affects the lived experience of Generation Y. 

Finding 1

My first question: "As I am interested in using the approach of Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis in my dissertation project, my first question is what are the underlying ideas of the Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis?"

The reply from the intelligent bot: "Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) is a qualitative research approach that focuses on how individuals make sense of their personal and social world. Here are the underlying ideas of IPA:

Phenomenology: IPA emphasizes understanding participants' lived experiences. Researchers aim to explore how individuals perceive and interpret their experiences, rather than imposing preconceived notions.

Interpretation: The approach acknowledges that the researcher plays an active role in interpreting the data. Researchers engage with participants' narratives to bring out deeper meanings and insights.

Idiography: IPA focuses on detailed examination of specific cases rather than generalizing findings across a large population. This means thorough exploration of a smaller number of participants to understand their unique experiences.

Reflexivity: Researchers must reflect on their own biases and subjective experiences. This involves being aware of how personal perspectives influence interpretation and understanding.

Contextualization: IPA recognizes the importance of contextual factors—such as culture, socio-economic status, and personal history—affecting participants' experiences.

Engagement with Participants: The approach often involves in-depth interviews, allowing for rich, narrative accounts that capture the complexity of human experience.

By utilizing IPA, your dissertation can deeply explore how Generation Y in Hong Kong interprets their housing affordability challenges and how it impacts their daily lives and identities."

Finding 2

My second question is: "Tks for clarification. If I am going to apply IPA in dissertation project, what would my research plan looks like, given that I am prepared to do in-depth interview, participant observation and document study in my dissertation project?"

The reply from the assistant bot is: "Here’s a suggested research plan for your dissertation project using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA):

Research Plan

1. Research Objectives

Explore the lived experiences of Generation Y regarding housing affordability in Hong Kong.

Understand how these experiences shape their identity, expectations, and daily life.

2. Literature Review

Review existing literature on housing affordability, Generation Y, and IPA.

Identify gaps in research relating to your theme.

3. Research Design

Methodology: Use IPA as the primary analytical approach.

Methods:

In-depth Interviews: Conduct semi-structured interviews with participants to gather detailed narratives.

Participant Observation: Observe interactions and behaviors in housing contexts such as open houses or community meetings to gain insights into everyday experiences.

Document Study: Analyze relevant documents (policies, reports, articles) to contextualize participants' experiences.

4. Sampling Strategy

Participant Selection:

Target a diverse group of Generation Y individuals (age 25-40) living in various housing situations in Hong Kong.

Aim for a sample size of 10-15 participants for depth.

Recruitment:

Use social media, community groups, and universities to recruit participants.

5. Data Collection

Interviews:

Prepare a semi-structured interview guide focusing on key themes (e.g., affordability, living conditions, aspirations).

Conduct interviews in a comfortable setting for participants.

Observations:

Document observations using field notes, paying attention to behaviors, dialogues, and context.

Documents:

Collect and analyze existing documents related to housing policies and Generation Y perspectives.

6. Data Analysis

Transcribe interviews and field notes.

Use IPA to identify themes and patterns:

Read transcripts multiple times.

Code data and identify key themes reflecting participants' experiences.

Interpret findings in the context of existing literature.

7. Ethical Considerations

Ensure informed consent and confidentiality.

Address potential risks and ensure participant well-being.

Obtain approval from your institution's ethics review board.

8. Timeline

Create a timeline with milestones for each phase, including literature review, data collection, analysis, and writing.

9. Expected Outcomes

Provide insights into how housing affordability impacts Generation Y’s lived experiences.

Contribute to the understanding of the socio-economic dynamics in Hong Kong.

10. Dissemination

Plan for sharing findings through academic publications, presentations, and community discussions.

This structured approach will help ensure you cover all necessary aspects of your research while allowing for the flexibility needed in qualitative inquiry."

Finding 3

My third question is: "Could you give me some more advice on the in-depth interview research design?"

The reply from the assistant bot is: "Certainly! Here are some key considerations for designing your in-depth interview research:

In-Depth Interview Research Design

1. Interview Objectives

Clearly define what you want to learn from the interviews. This could include participants’ perceptions of housing affordability, personal stories, and how these experiences shape their identities and daily lives.

2. Participant Recruitment

Criteria: Select participants who represent diverse backgrounds within Generation Y to capture a wide range of experiences.

Recruitment Strategies: Use social media, community organizations, and university networks to find participants. Consider offering incentives (e.g., gift vouchers) for participation.

3. Interview Guide Development

Create a semi-structured interview guide with open-ended questions to encourage detailed responses. Examples include:

How do you perceive the current housing market in Hong Kong?

Can you describe your own housing situation?

What impact does housing affordability have on your life choices?

Include prompts for deeper exploration of specific topics if they arise during the interview.

4. Interview Setting

Choose a comfortable and neutral location for interviews (e.g., participants' homes, cafés, or virtual settings) to facilitate open conversation.

Ensure privacy to encourage candid discussions.

5. Conducting the Interview

Establish Rapport: Begin with casual conversation to make participants comfortable.

Active Listening: Pay close attention and demonstrate understanding through verbal affirmations and follow-up questions.

Flexibility: Be prepared to deviate from your guide based on participants’ responses, allowing them to share what they find most significant.

6. Recording and Transcription

Obtain consent to record interviews for accuracy. Consider using audio recorders or reliable transcription software.

Transcribe the interviews verbatim for analysis, noting non-verbal cues if relevant.

7. Ethical Considerations

Ensure participants are aware of their rights, including the ability to withdraw at any time.

Guarantee confidentiality by anonymizing data in your analysis and reporting.

8. Preparation for Analysis

Familiarize yourself with the IPA framework to effectively interpret and analyze participants' accounts.

Consider keeping a reflexive journal to record your thoughts and feelings about the interviews, which can inform your analysis.

9. Pilot Testing

Conduct a pilot interview to test your guide and refine questions based on feedback. This will help improve the clarity and flow of your questions.

By focusing on these elements, you’ll create a thoughtful and effective in-depth interview design that maximizes the richness of the data you collect."

Finding 4

My fourth question is: "Tks. Could you also give me some additional advice on how to conduct the participant observation research and what to pay attention to in this case?"

The reply from the assistant bot is: "Certainly! Here’s some advice on conducting participant observation research effectively:

Participant Observation Research Tips

1. Define Your Objectives

Clearly outline what you aim to achieve with participant observation. Focus on understanding the housing experiences and behaviors of Generation Y in specific contexts.

2. Select Research Sites

Choose locations relevant to your research, such as:

Housing fairs or open houses

Community meetings discussing housing issues

Common areas in residential buildings

Ensure these sites offer diverse interactions related to housing.

3. Engagement Level

Decide on your level of involvement:

Complete Observer: Minimal interaction, focusing solely on observation.

Participant Observer: Engage with participants while still observing behaviors.

Be prepared to shift levels based on the dynamics of the setting.

4. Observation Techniques

Field Notes: Keep detailed notes of your observations, including contextual details, interactions, and any spontaneous remarks from participants.

Non-Verbal Cues: Pay attention to body language, facial expressions, and group dynamics, as these can provide deeper insights into participants’ feelings about housing.

Contextual Factors: Note the environmental conditions, layout, and cultural aspects that may influence participants’ behaviors and interactions.

5. Ethical Considerations

Obtain consent from individuals observed, especially if you plan to use the data in your research.

Be transparent about your role as a researcher without disrupting natural interactions.

6. Reflexivity

Reflect on your own biases and how they might affect your observations. Include your thoughts and feelings in your field notes to enrich your analysis later.

7. Data Collection

Organize your field notes systematically, categorizing them based on themes relevant to your research objectives.

Record both descriptive (what happened) and reflective (your interpretations) notes.

8. Integrate with Other Methods

Combine insights from participant observation with data from interviews and documents to create a comprehensive view of the lived experiences of Generation Y.

9. Duration and Frequency

Plan multiple observation sessions to capture variations over time and context. This will help you gather a richer dataset.

10. Analysis

After data collection, analyze your observations alongside interview data. Look for patterns and themes that emerge from both sources.

By paying attention to these aspects, you can effectively gather rich and meaningful qualitative data through participant observation, enhancing your understanding of your research topic."

Finding 5

My fifth question is: "What specific ethical considerations should I keep in mind during participant observation?"

The reply from the assistant bot is: "Here are key ethical considerations to keep in mind during participant observation:

Ethical Considerations for Participant Observation

Informed Consent

Ensure that participants are fully informed about the research purpose, methods, and their rights. Obtain their consent before observation.

Confidentiality

Protect the identities of individuals being observed. Use pseudonyms and anonymize data during analysis and reporting to ensure privacy.

Transparency

Be clear about your role as a researcher. If you are actively participating, inform others of your observations to foster trust and openness.

Non-Intrusiveness

Strive to observe without disrupting the natural setting or the behaviors of individuals. Minimize your presence to avoid influencing their actions.

Respect for Participants

Treat all participants with dignity and respect. Be sensitive to their cultural norms and personal boundaries.

Right to Withdraw

Inform participants that they have the right to withdraw from the research at any point without any negative consequences.

Debriefing

After observations, consider debriefing participants, sharing your findings if appropriate, and inviting feedback about their experiences during the observation.

Ethical Approval

Obtain approval from your institution’s ethics review board before commencing your research, ensuring compliance with ethical guidelines.

Reflexivity

Reflect on your own biases and how they may influence your observations and interpretations. Document these reflections throughout the research process.

Use of Data

Be clear about how observational data will be used, ensuring it aligns with participants’ expectations set during consent.

By addressing these ethical concerns, you can conduct your participant observation in a responsible manner that respects the rights and dignity of all participants involved."

Some overall evaluation comments

The advice from the assistant bot is very useful and concrete. 

Reference: a collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.