Jonathan Smith (psychologist)
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Smith is a psychologist
currently based at Birkbeck, University of London
. He has been very prominent in promoting qualitative research
within social psychology
and health psychology
. In particular, he has developed and promoted a particular approach known as interpretative phenomenological analysis
(IPA).
He previously taught at Keele
and Sheffield Universities.
Psychologist
Psychologist is a professional or academic title used by individuals who are either:* Clinical professionals who work with patients in a variety of therapeutic contexts .* Scientists conducting psychological research or teaching psychology in a college...
currently based at Birkbeck, University of London
Birkbeck, University of London
Birkbeck, University of London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London. It offers many Master's and Bachelor's degree programmes that can be studied either part-time or full-time, though nearly all teaching is...
. He has been very prominent in promoting qualitative research
Qualitative research
Qualitative research is a method of inquiry employed in many different academic disciplines, traditionally in the social sciences, but also in market research and further contexts. Qualitative researchers aim to gather an in-depth understanding of human behavior and the reasons that govern such...
within social psychology
Social psychology
Social psychology is the scientific study of how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. By this definition, scientific refers to the empirical method of investigation. The terms thoughts, feelings, and behaviors include all...
and health psychology
Health psychology
Health psychology is concerned with understanding how biological, psychological, environmental, and cultural factors are involved in physical health and illness. Health psychologists work alongside other medical professionals in clinical settings, work on behavior change in public health promotion,...
. In particular, he has developed and promoted a particular approach known as interpretative phenomenological analysis
Interpretative phenomenological analysis
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis is an approach to psychological qualitative research with an idiographic focus, which means that it aims to offer insights into how a given person, in a given context, makes sense of a given phenomenon...
(IPA).
He previously taught at Keele
Keele University
Keele University is a campus university near Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire, England. Founded in 1949 as an experimental college dedicated to a broad curriculum and interdisciplinary study, Keele is most notable for pioneering the dual honours degree in Britain...
and Sheffield Universities.
Works
- Smith, J.A. (2003) (ed) Qualitative Psychology: A Practical Guide to Research Methods. London: Sage.
- Smith, J., Flowers, P. & Larkin, M. (2009) Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis: Theory, Method and Research. London: SAGE.