This article offers an introduction to the use of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to conduct research on psychological and social issues in the new genetics. Some key methodological points in the employment of IPA are highlighted. The article examines some of the important issues for health psychologists that arise following advances in new genetic technologies and introduces the articles in this special issue. The article discusses the particular contribution that IPA can make to research in health psychology generally, and to the new genetics in particular.
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