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Definition and Background
Definition and Background
This approach is heavily influenced by philosophy and is famous in different fields, but there is no consensus on what exactly phenomenology is. To avoid confusion, we will stick to the following definition:
Phenomenological research, in essence, is all about examining the lived experiences of several individuals of a specific concept or phenomenon and finding out what they have in common. Basically, the main objective is to grasp the nature of that certain phenomenon.
Phenomenology is not only a description, but it is an interpretive process in which the researcher makes an interpretation of the meaning of the lived experiences.
Phenomenology is not only a description, but it is an interpretive process in which the researcher makes an interpretation of the meaning of the lived experiences.
Types of Phenomenology
Types of Phenomenology
Hermeneutic phenomenology
Hermeneutic phenomenology
By definition, this is oriented toward lived experiences and interpreting the "texts" of life.
In this process, the researcher turns to a certain phenomenon or an abiding concern that seriously interests them. They then reflect on the essential themes and identify what constitutes the nature of this lived experience.
Empirical, Transcendental, or Psychological Phenomenology
Empirical, Transcendental, or Psychological Phenomenology
This is more about the description of the lived experiences rather than their interpretations. Here, the researchers must be objective, also known as epoche or bracketing.
It is recognized that epoche is rarely perfectly achieved. Some researchers attempt to do so by describing their experiences beforehand and putting them aside as they dive deep into their research.
PROCEDURES FOR CONDUCTING PHENOMENOLOGICAL RESEARCH
PROCEDURES FOR CONDUCTING PHENOMENOLOGICAL RESEARCH
Determine if the research problem suits this approach. It must be noted that this is best for research that concerns several people's experiences of a certain phenomenon.
Identify a phenomenon, such as anger, professionalism, what it means to be underweight, or what it means to be a wrestler.
Specify the broad philosophical assumptions of phenomenology. To fully describe how participants view the phenomenon, the researcher must, as much as possible, put personal experiences and judgments aside.
Collect data from the individuals who have experienced the phenomenon. Often data collection in phenomenological studies consists of in-depth and multiple interviews with participants.
Ask the participants the following questions:
What have you experienced in terms of the phenomenon?
What contexts or situations have typically influenced or affected your experience of the phenomenon?
Analyze the data collected and look out for important statements that summarize their experience then develop them into themes.
Write textual descriptions of their experiences and their context based on the information gathered from the previous step. At this point, researchers can also write about their own experiences and their context.
Write a composite description of the essential, invariant structure or basically the "essence" of the phenomenon.
CHALLENGES
CHALLENGES
The researcher must understand and identify the broader philosophical assumptions.
All participants must have experienced the phenomenon.
Being completely objective is not easily achieved.
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