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Existing guidance on evaluating the quality of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) research has provided criteria to assess work as good, acceptable or unacceptable. Given that IPA has become a well-established member of the qualitative methods repertoire, we think it is valuable now to focus in much more detail on the particular qualities that are the hallmark of high quality IPA research. Here we present four such qualities which are discussed in detail and illustrated through the use of exemplars from excellent IPA work. The qualities are: constructing a compelling, unfolding narrative; developing a vigorous experiential and/or existential account; close analytic reading of participants' words; attending to convergence and divergence. Finally, the four qualities are briefly considered in relation to the theoretical underpinnings of IPA.

This paper presents a review of studies that have employed Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) longitudinally to capture temporal aspects of phenomena by analysing data gathered over multiple time points. Sixty-six eligible articles from peer-reviewed journals were obtained by searching the Web of science, Medline and Psychinfo databases up to March 2018. A description of the corpus is provided, followed by an in-depth review of the methodological choices made by authors. The paper describes the range of approaches used to capture and convey experience over time, including data gathering decisions and types of thematic structure used to present findings. Finally, a selection of common features of good quality studies is illustrated using examples taken from articles in the corpus and their potential merits are highlighted.

Combining participant drawings with interviews can stimulate deep reflection and allow the inexpressible to be expressed. This case study uses visual methods to illustrate the 9-month self-management journey of a female chronic pain sufferer. The participant drew a picture of her pain at each of three interviews, and the drawings were used to discuss the changing impact pain was having on her life. Drawings and transcripts were jointly analysed longitudinally using interpretative phenomenological analysis, revealing how, as control is regained, a sufferer’s relationship with their chronic pain can visibly change and how the drawings, when reviewed retrospectively, enable insight and ownership of progress.

Four White British women who had not signed up to be organ donors were interviewed in depth to investigate their feelings on organ donation. Transcripts were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to reveal how the ability to detach from the body affects the acceptance of organ donation, how organ donation can trigger difficult thoughts and how the family can be used to explain not having signed up. The findings confirm previous empirical evidence but also offer original insight on the discrepancy between attitudes and behaviours, how fears can inhibit action and the importance of communicating organ donation wishes to family.