TY - JOUR

T1 - Interpreting the anomalous

T2 - finding meaning in out-of-body and near-death experiences

AU - Wilde, David J.

AU - Murray, Craig

PY - 2010

Y1 - 2010

N2 - Much contemporary research on anomalous experiences has been focused on issues of confirming the authenticity of the phenomena, or to determine the underlying processes by which these phenomena may manifest themselves. This research has largely been nomothetic in nature relying mainly on laboratory experiments and/or questionnaire surveys. Traditionally, however, there has existed a third strand of exploration in this field of study–phenomenological research—which in recent times has been somewhat overlooked in this field of work. In an attempt to redress this shortcoming, the authors propose the use of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to research anomalous experience. IPA possesses strong theoretical and philosophical underpinnings and a focus on describing and interpreting the process, intricacy and novelty of personal experience. The authors argue that IPA appears ideally suited as a method of qualitative investigation to address important fundamental research questions posed by the study of anomalous experiences.

AB - Much contemporary research on anomalous experiences has been focused on issues of confirming the authenticity of the phenomena, or to determine the underlying processes by which these phenomena may manifest themselves. This research has largely been nomothetic in nature relying mainly on laboratory experiments and/or questionnaire surveys. Traditionally, however, there has existed a third strand of exploration in this field of study–phenomenological research—which in recent times has been somewhat overlooked in this field of work. In an attempt to redress this shortcoming, the authors propose the use of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to research anomalous experience. IPA possesses strong theoretical and philosophical underpinnings and a focus on describing and interpreting the process, intricacy and novelty of personal experience. The authors argue that IPA appears ideally suited as a method of qualitative investigation to address important fundamental research questions posed by the study of anomalous experiences.

KW - anomalous experiences

KW - Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

KW - near-death experiences

KW - out-of-body experiences

KW - qualitative methodology

U2 - 10.1080/14780880903304550

DO - 10.1080/14780880903304550

M3 - Journal article

VL - 7

SP - 57

EP - 72

JO - Qualitative Research in Psychology

JF - Qualitative Research in Psychology

SN - 1478-0895

IS - 1

ER -