Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) is a qualitative research approach that focuses on the detailed examination of personal lived experiences. It is part of a broader family of phenomenological psychology approaches, emphasizing the importance of an experiential perspective. IPA involves an interpretative process where both the researcher and participants engage with the data, aiming to understand phenomena from the first-person perspective. The approach has its roots in phenomenology and hermeneutics, which provide the theoretical foundations for understanding and interpreting experiences. Phenomenology, as developed by Husserl, aims to describe how the world is formed and experienced through consciousness, stripping away preconceptions and biases to reveal the essence of phenomena. Hermeneutics, on the other hand, focuses on making meaning intelligible, emphasizing the interpretative nature of understanding and the importance of context and historical contingency. In IPA, experience is a central concept, focusing on the subjective and concrete aspects of lived experiences. The approach is idiographic, meaning it emphasizes the unique and particular aspects of individual experiences while maintaining the integrity of the person. Interpretation in IPA involves navigating different layers of meaning, using a double hermeneutic approach that combines empathy and suspicion. The concept of the "gem" is introduced as a tool for enhancing interpretation, where singular remarks or extracts from interviews can reveal deeper meanings. IPA also challenges dominant methodological and epistemological assumptions in psychology, particularly in its re-appropriation of cognition and language. Cognition is seen as dynamic, multi-dimensional, affective, and embodied, connected to engagement with the world. Language is viewed as expressive rather than merely discursive, reflecting the existential involvement of individuals in their social worlds. Finally, IPA has been applied in various fields, including organizational studies, education, health, and sports science, demonstrating its broad applicability and value in understanding human experiences.Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) is a qualitative research approach that focuses on the detailed examination of personal lived experiences. It is part of a broader family of phenomenological psychology approaches, emphasizing the importance of an experiential perspective. IPA involves an interpretative process where both the researcher and participants engage with the data, aiming to understand phenomena from the first-person perspective. The approach has its roots in phenomenology and hermeneutics, which provide the theoretical foundations for understanding and interpreting experiences. Phenomenology, as developed by Husserl, aims to describe how the world is formed and experienced through consciousness, stripping away preconceptions and biases to reveal the essence of phenomena. Hermeneutics, on the other hand, focuses on making meaning intelligible, emphasizing the interpretative nature of understanding and the importance of context and historical contingency. In IPA, experience is a central concept, focusing on the subjective and concrete aspects of lived experiences. The approach is idiographic, meaning it emphasizes the unique and particular aspects of individual experiences while maintaining the integrity of the person. Interpretation in IPA involves navigating different layers of meaning, using a double hermeneutic approach that combines empathy and suspicion. The concept of the "gem" is introduced as a tool for enhancing interpretation, where singular remarks or extracts from interviews can reveal deeper meanings. IPA also challenges dominant methodological and epistemological assumptions in psychology, particularly in its re-appropriation of cognition and language. Cognition is seen as dynamic, multi-dimensional, affective, and embodied, connected to engagement with the world. Language is viewed as expressive rather than merely discursive, reflecting the existential involvement of individuals in their social worlds. Finally, IPA has been applied in various fields, including organizational studies, education, health, and sports science, demonstrating its broad applicability and value in understanding human experiences.