Phenomenological research

1. Unit 1: The Nature and Methods
of Phenomenological Research

2. Phenomenological research is a qualitative research
approach that seeks to understand and describe the
universal essence of a phenomenon.
The approach investigates the everyday experiences of
human beings while suspending the researchers’
preconceived assumptions about the phenomenon. In
other words, phenomenological research studies lived
experiences to gain deeper insights into how people
understand those experiences.

3. What are the characteristics of phenomenological research
design?
Below are the four main characteristics of phenomenological
research design.
1. Phenomenological research design is descriptive. The
researcher aims to describe as accurately as possible the
structure of a phenomenon.
2. Qualitative phenomenological research design aims to
uncover what a particular experience means to a group of
people and how they experienced it.

4. 3. This approach requires researchers to set aside their
prejudices and a priori assumptions and focus mainly on the
immediate experience.
4. It requires the researcher to first describe the lived
experiences objectively and then reflect on the description
with reference to the existing theories about the
phenomenon.

5. Methods of collecting data for Phenomenological design.
Some of the most common methods are:
1. Participant observation
2. Interviews
3. Conversations with participants
4. Analysis of personal text
5. Action research
6. Focus meetings

6. Note:
Regardless of the method you use for qualitative
phenomenological research design, you must focus on the
research issues and avoid influencing the participants.
Additionally, you must show empathy and establish a good
level of rapport to gain deep insight into the participants’
experiences.

7. Data Analysis in Phenomenological Research
There are a few existing models of phenomenological research,
and they each propose slightly different methods of data analysis.
They all arrive at the same goal, however. The goal of
phenomenological analysis is to describe the essence or core
structures and textures of some conscious psychological experience.
One such model, empirical, was developed at Duquesne University.
This method of analysis consists of five essential steps and
represents the other variations well. Whichever model is chosen,
those wishing to conduct phenomenological research must choose a
model and abide by its procedures.

8. Empirical phenomenology is presented as an example.
1. Sense of the whole. One reads the entire description in
order to get a general sense of the whole statement. This
often takes a few readings, which should be approached
contemplatively.
2. Discrimination of meaning units. Once the sense of the
whole has been grasped, the researcher returns to the
beginning and reads through the text once more, delineating
each transition in meaning.

9. 3. Transformation of subjects' everyday expressions (meaning units)
into psychological language.
4. Synthesis of transformed meaning units into a consistent
statement of the structure of the experience.
5. Final synthesis. Finally, the researcher synthesizes all of the
statements regarding each participant's experience into one
consistent statement that describes and captures the essence of the
experience being studied.

10. What are the limitations of phenomenological design?
Some of the downsides of phenomenological research are:
1. Researcher-induced bias can affect the outcome of the
study.
2. It could be difficult to establish validity and reliability
when using this research approach.
3. Maintaining pure bracketing can be very challenging for
the researcher

11. 4. Participants of the research may not be able to express
their views articulately due to factors like language barrier,
age, or cognition.
5. Presenting the findings of phenomenological research can
be difficult because the results are highly qualitative.
6. Data gathering and analysis in phenomenological design
may be daunting and time-consuming.

12. Phenomenological research design example
In Donna Marie Barrow’s paper on a phenomenological
study of the lived experiences of parents of young children
with autism receiving special education services, the
researcher investigated the lived experiences of four
mothers of children with autism receiving early intervention
services using phenomenological research design. The study
aimed to gain insight into the phenomenon of parenting and
parents’ experiences with early intervention and early
childhood special education.

13. Other examples of phenomenological researches:

14. Other examples of phenomenological researches: