The use of body-mapping in interpretative phenomenological analyses: a methodological discussion

ABSTRACT

The increasing popularity of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) in social research brings an increasing criticism about its validity, robustness and, more recently, its lack of expressive features. Recently, the novel arts-based research approach called body-mapping was recognized as enhancing social science research in creative and nuanced ways. Body-mapping allows for unique insights into participants’ lived experiences, the meaning thereof, and into how meaning is impacted by their socio-cultural contexts. This article provides new understandings about the potential use of body-mapping as part of an IPA framework by drawing upon existing literature to critically discuss their philosophical and methodological congruence. The following discussion demonstrates how particular strengths of body-mapping align with weaknesses of IPA and that, when merged, they may be especially useful for research with vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations. Limitations of this discussion and implications for future research are provided.

KEYWORDS:

• Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA)
• body-mapping
• qualitative analysis
• arts-based research
• emancipatory-based research (EBA)

Declaration of interest

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Additional information

Funding

The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Notes on contributors

Maike Klein

Maike Klein, MA, MRes is a PhD student in the Social and Policy Sciences department at the University of Bath. Her research focuses on recovery from substance misuse and the implications thereof for national drug policy. Maike works as a counseling practitioner for an independent drug and alcohol service in Bath.

Rebecca J. Milner

Rebecca J. Milner, PhD, LPC is an Assistant Professor in the East Tennessee State University Counseling Program. In addition to teaching across the counseling curriculum, Dr. Milner is trained in Intergroup Dialogue and is a Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory.