Key+Elements+in+Phenomenological+Research

** van Manen's thoughts... **

// Phenomenology is not a set of fixed procedures, however hermeneutic phenomenological research is an combination of six activities: // (1) turning to a phenomenon which seriously interests us and commits us to the world; (2) investigating experience as we live it rather than as we conceptualize it; (3) reflecting on the essential themes which characterize the phenomenon; (4) describing the phenomenon through the art of writing and rewriting; (5) manipulating a strong and oriented pedagogical relation to the phenomenon; (6) balancing the research context by considering parts and whole. (pp. 30-31)

//To produce lived-experience descriptions,// (1) You need to describe the experience as you live(d) through it avoiding as much as possible causal explanations, generalizations, or abstract interpretations. (2) Describe the experience from the inside as it were; almost like a state of mind: the feelings, the mood, the emotions, etc. (3) Focus on a particular example or incident of the object of the experience: describe specific events, an adventure, a happening, a particular experience. (4) Try to focus on an example of the experience which stands out for its vividness, or as it was the first time. (5) Attend to how the body feels, how things smell(ed), how they sound(ed), etc. (6) Avoid trying to beautify your account with fancy phrases or flowery terminology. (1990, pp. 66-67)

To develop thematic statements: "the wholistic or sententious approach; the selective or highlighting approach; and the detailed or line-by line approach" (1990, p. 93). Each approach guides a different view of the text. The first approach is more global, seeking overall meaning of the text. The second approach focuses on phrases or sentences that stand out in the text. The third approach is a close examination of the text sentence by sentence.

//The following issues need to be addressed from an ethical point of view,// (1) The research may have certain effects on the people with whom the research is concerned and who will be interested in the phenomenological work. (2) There are possible effects of the research methods on the institutions in which the research is conducted. (3) The research methods used may have lingering effects on the actual "subjects" involved in the study. (4) Phenomenological projects and their methods often have a transformative effect on the researcher. (pp. 162-153)

T//here are many ways to structure phenomenological research//: thematically, analytically, exemplificatively, exergetically, existentially, and inventing an approach (pp. 168-173). van Manen, M. (1990). Researching lived experience: Human science for an action sensitive pedagogy. Abany, NY: State University of New York Press.

[|Max van Manen]

** Clark Moustakas's thoughts... ** __Empirical phenomenological research__ utilizes an individuals experience in order to obtain rich descriptions of a reaction to an event or, phenomenon. These descriptions are the basis for a reflective analysis that will help to understand the to essence of the experience. The original data is comprised of ‘naïve’ descriptions obtained through open-ended questions and dialogue. The researcher describes the nature of the experience through the reflection and interpretation of the participant’s story. From there general meanings are derived. Phenomenology attempts to eliminate everything that represents a //pre-judgement //  or //pre-supposition // . The researcher must keep an open mind and describe things as they are, not as he or she feels they are. The first person reports of life experiences are what characterizes phenomenological research. Epoche: things can not be felt to be known in advance or felt to be known without internal reflection and meaning. Only your own perception can point to truth. Phenomenological Reduction: describing just what you see, external and internal, the relationship between phenomenon and self. Horizontalization: the never ending process of transcending information and knowledge The final step in the phenomenological research is the synthesis of meanings and essences. From here the researcher comes to a final enlightenment or truth. The researcher must organize, present and analyze the data. The data is then summarized. He or she distinguishes the findings from prior research, and like other research methods, suggests further investigation. Finally he or she will discuss the outcomes in terms of social meanings and personal and professional values. //Taken from Clark Moustakas, Phenomenological Research Methods. //

Clark Moustakas

Taken from Clark Moustakas, Phenomenological Research Methods, p. 180-182
 * Outline Summary of the Phenomenological Model **

Epoche - Setting aside prejudgments and opening the research interview with an unbiased, receptive presence
 * Processes **

Bracketing the Topic or Question // Horizonalization // : Every statement has equal value // Delimited Horizons or Meanings // : Horizons that stand out as invariant qualities of the experience // Invariant Qualities and Themes // : non-repetitive, non-overlapping constituents clustered into themes // Individual Textural Descriptions // : An integration, descriptively, of the invariant textural constituents and themes of each research participant // Composite Textural Description // : an integration of all of the individual textural descriptions into a group or universal textural description
 * Phenomenological Reduction **

Vary Possible Meanings // Vary Perspectives of the Phenomenon // : From different vantage points, such as opposite meanings and various roles // Free Fantasy Variations // : consider freely the possible structural qualities or dynamics that evoke the textural qualities Construct a list of structural qualities of the experience // Develop Structural Themes // : cluster the structural qualities into themes // Employ Universal Structures as Themes // : Time, space, relationship to self, to others; bodily concerns, causal or intentional structures // Individual Structural Descriptions // : For each co-researcher, integrate the structural qualities and themes into an individual structural description of the experience
 * Imaginative Variation **

__ Synthesis of composite Textural and Composite Structural Descriptions __ Intuitively-reflectively integrate the composite textural and composite structural descriptions to develop a synthesis of the meanings and essences of the phenomenon or experience

__ Preparing to Collect Data __ 1. Formulate the question: Define terms of question 2. Conduct literature review and determine original nature of study 3. Develop criteria for selecting participants: Establish contract, obtain informed consent, insure confidentiality, agree to place and time commitments, and obtain permission to record and publish
 * Methodology **