Applying Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to Video Data in Music Therapy

The current study presents a distinct video microanalysis method, which was guided by Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and developed specifically for this music therapy research project. Music therapy studies that have applied video analysis or phenomenology are reviewed, and basic theoretical principals of IPA are discussed. Rationale for developing Interpretative Phenomenological Video Analysis (IPVA) is provided and the six stages of IPVA are explained. A demonstration of using the presented method is provided via a case study. IPVA produced a thick, rich, and unique description of a meaningful moment, which occurred between a music therapist and a client who has profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. As this is the first study that has used video data for IPA, it provides fresh knowledge and insight to those who are interested in IPA, hermeneutic analysis, and/or video microanalysis in both fields of music therapy and phenomenology.