"This book should be read by research students, early career researchers, social work practitioners as well as doctoral supervisors new to IPA, who will all find it helpful and insightful."

Dr Angie Bartoli, School of Social Sciences Student Experience Manager, Principal Lecturer in Social Work, Nottingham Trent University, UK

"This book will be an extremely helpful companion to social work researchers at all stages of the research process from design though to dissemination, as well of being of real value to those supervising IPA projects."

Dr Martin Kettle, Senior Lecturer, Glasgow Caledonian University, UK

This first of its kind book provides a theoretical and practical exploration of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) for Social Work. Accessibly written for those considering IPA from different perspectives, including social work students, social work practitioners, doctoral students, and research supervisors the book will guide all readers through its application in this field.
Social Work Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis takes the reader on a journey through how lived experience can be discovered, how effective social work research can be designed and explore practical strategies for maximising quality. The book is organised under three key parts:
. Discovering Lived Experience Through IPA Social Work Research
. Doing IPA Social Work Research
. Determining Social Work Knowledge Using IPA
This accessibly written, comprehensive book explores the specific fit of IPA within social work as a professional practice and research discipline drawing together values, skills and knowledge for eliciting, responding to and representing accounts of lived experience.
Sarah Vicary is Professor of Social Work and Mental Health at The Open University, UK.
Gillian Ferguson is a Lecturer in Social Work at The Open University, UK.

Contents

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Part 1 Discovering lived experience through IPA social workresearch

Chapter One The theory of IPA in qualitative research

Chapter Two The purpose of research in social work

Chapter Three Introducing an integrated holistic model forIPA social work research

Part 2 Doing IPA social work research

Chapter Four - Research design: commitment to IPAmethodology and methods

Chapter Five - A sense-making quest

Chapter Six Making adifference in social work through IPA research

Chapter Seven Supervising social work research through IPA

Part 3 Determining social work knowledge using IPA

Chapter Eight IPA insocial work, the present and future.

Conclusion

Appendix Further reading and resources for IPA social workresearch

Open University Social Work IPA network

References

Index