Phenomenology

Phenomenological Research Methodology
Rooted in [|Phenomenology], which is “the study of structures of consciousness as experienced from the first-person point of view” (Stanford, 2003), phenomenological research methodology seeks to gain a deeper, richer understanding of the essence of the experience of the phenomena by the study participants. The selection of a phenomenological research methodology is made when the researcher wishes to study intense emotional human experiences.



The principal founder of phenomenology was the 20th century Moravian philosopher [|Edmund Husserl].

As the use of phenomenology as a research methodology has increased, various forms have emerged. These forms can be identified as Hermeneutic, Transcendental and Existential Phenomenology.

__Forms of Phenomenology__

Hermeneutic Phenomenology is the form of phenomenology where the researcher seeks to utilize a more interpretive approach to their research processes. Rooted in the study of [|hermeneutics], which is the “art of understanding and the theory of interpretation (Wildman, 1994)” attributed to the Greek Philosopher [|Aristotle], this phenomenological approach seeks to capture the lived experience and interpretation of life.

Transcendental Phenomenology is the form of phenomenology credited to Dr. Clark E. [|Moustakas]. In this form of phenomenology, the goal of the researcher to capture the experience and reaction of the study participants’ to the phenomena they are experiencing outside of the realm of the natural world.

Existential Phenomenology can be defined as the form of phenomenology rooted in the [|existentialist] philosophical stance where researchers conduct their research processes in search of what the study participants believe that they perceive and understand as reality. The goal of the researcher is to form an [|epistemology], which can be defined as “the study of knowledge and justified belief” (Stanford, 2005).

__Research Processes/Procedures__

Conducting phenomenological research involves the use of a specific methodology including the processes of data collection, analysis and validation. Some examples of these specific processes involve the use of bracketing, the use of open-ended research questions, the use of focus groups and observations to gather data, the collection of artifacts, phenomenological reduction, horizontalization and imaginative variation.

Bracketing can be defined as the process through which the researcher, prior to initiating the research process, documents his/her own experiences with the phenomenon under study in order to remove it from the research process.

Open-ended research questions are research questions intentionally designed to allow the study participant to share on a more in-depth, at times self-disclosing level in order to more fully express their experience with the phenomena. The goal of these research questions is to “give voice” to the study participants in order to share the essence of their experience. The phenomenological researcher’s goal is to capture this essence and convey it through their research findings while at the same time protecting the participants from any ill effects of their self-disclosure.

Focus Groups, though not always associated with phenomenological research, is a method of data collection a researcher can use in order to not only gather initial data from members of a selected group but also to [|triangulate] data collected during the interview process.

Observation is the process through which the researcher can collect data regarding daily interactions, behaviors and practices within the context of the study participants' natural environment.

Artifacts can be defined as any written, visual, audiovisual or 3-dimensional means of expression used by the study participants to convey their experiences with the phenomena under study. Some examples of artifacts would be such things as paintings, journals, musical recordings or poetry.

Phenomenological reduction is the process through which the researcher "continually returns to the essence of the experience in order to derive the inner structure or meaning in and of itself" (Merriam, 2009). The researcher focuses on the most minute details of the phenomenon in order to capture the essence of the experience.

Horizontalization is the process through which the research places all of the data collected together and treats this data as if it has equal value. This takes place during the initial data analysis process.

Imaginative variation is the process through which the researcher views the data collected through a variety of perspectives in order to see the data from all angles as if one is viewing a 3-dimensional work of art (Merriam, 2009).

References

Aristotle. (2008). In Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from []

Creswell, J. W. (2007). Qualitative Inquiry & Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Epistemology. (2005). In Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from []

Epistemology. (1993). In Principia Cybernetica Web. Retrieved from http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/EPISTEMI.html

Existentialism. (2004). In Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from []

Existentialism. (2011). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/existentialism

Edmund Husserl. (2009). In Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from

Edmund Husserl. (2003). In Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from []

Guion, L. (2002). Triangulation: Establishing the Validity of Qualitative Studies. Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.

Merriam, S. B. (2009). Qualitative Research: A Guide to Design and Implementation. San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Miles, M. B. & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative Data Analysis (2nd Ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Moustakas, C. E. (2006). Michigan School of Professional Psychology. **Faculty Listing**[|?]. Retrieved from http://www.mispp.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=46&Itemid=238

Phenomenology. (2009). In Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from []

Phenomenology. (2011). In Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from []

**Photograph of Edmund Husserl**[|?]. (ca. 1859-1938 ) Joferto. (Photographer).Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Husserl.jpg

Wildman, W. (1994). Hermeneutics and Phenomenology. Retrieved from [|?]/courses/wphil/lectures/wphil_theme19.htm

Five Approaches to Qualitative Research