From:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FSL/is_4_73/ai_73308177/pg_2/?tag=content;col1
FindArticles / Health / AORN Journal / April, 2001

Understanding life experiences through a

phenomenological approach to research
by Michelle M. Byrne
Qualitative research examines life experiences (ie, the lived experience) in an effort to
understand and give them meaning. This usually is done by systematically collecting and
analyzing narrative materials using methods that ensure credibility of both the data and the
results. Phenomenology is one of many types of qualitative research that examines the lived
experiences of humans.(1) Phenomenological researchers hope to gain understanding of the
essential "truths" (ie, essences) of the lived experience. Examples of phenomenological research
include exploring the lived experiences of women undergoing breast biopsy or the lived
experiences of family members waiting for a loved one undergoing major surgery.

The term phenomenology often is used without a clear understanding of its meaning.
Phenomenology has been described as a philosophy, methodology, and method.(2) Furthering
confusion, the term phenomenology has been used interchangeably with the term hermeneutics
(ie, analyses of the written word).(3) This column will provide a brief overview of
phenomenological philosophy, methodology, and method.

PHENOMENOLOGICAL PHILOSOPHY

Phenomenologists believe that knowledge and understanding are embedded in our everyday
world. In other words, they do not believe knowledge can be quantified or reduced to numbers or
statistics.(4) Phenomonologists believe that truth and understanding of life can emerge from
people's life experiences. Although phenomenologists share this belief, they have developed
more than one approach to gain understanding of human knowledge.

Before the seventeenth century, religion or nature often provided the basis for man's
understanding of the world. Rene Descartes, however, articulated a split between man's mental
being and his physical being. This viewpoint served as an impetus to link all knowledge to the
realm of science. Scientists of that time heralded the scientific method, objectivity, and a fixed,
orderly reality as the sole approach to knowledge discovery. Many early philosophers, however,
found the scientific method too reductionistic, objective, and mechanistic; therefore, they
advanced phenomenology as a preferred method to discover the meaning of life experiences.(5)

The father of phenomenology frequently is cited as Edmund Husserl.(6) Husserl was a German
philosopher as well as a mathematician.(7) The works of Husserl, as well as those of Martin
Heidegger, are cited in many nursing studies as the framework for the research approach and
methods.(8) Even though both philosophers are considered phenomenologists, their approaches
to research and understanding life experiences differ.

PHENOMENOLOGICAL METHODOLOGY

Methodology links a particular philosophy to the appropriate research methods and bridges
philosophical notions to practical and applicable research strategies. Husserl, for example,
purported that essences serve as the ultimate structure of consciousness.(9) He contended that
bracketing (ie, setting aside preconceived notions) enables one to objectively describe the
phenomena under study. Mathematics influenced Husserl's thinking, and thus, he sought a
logical method to gain understanding of the experience of human consciousness.

If I, for example, wanted to understand childhood, Husserl's approach would assume I would
bracket everything I know about being the mother of two children. According to Husserl,
bracketing would enable me to identify the essences of childhood free of my prior experiences of
being a child or mothering two children. Bracketing assumes people can separate their personal
knowledge from their life experiences.(10)

Husserl's junior colleague, Martin Heidegger, reconceived many phenomenological perspectives.

Heidegger offered an alternate worldview from Husserl's beliefs regarding bracketing.(11) He
believed that as human beings, our meanings are codeveloped through the experience of being
born human, our collective life experiences, our background, and the world in which we live.(12)
Heidegger acknowledged that gender, culture, history, and related life experiences prohibit an
objective viewpoint yet enable people to experience shared practices and common meanings. He
did not believe it was possible to bracket our assumptions of the world, but rather that through
authentic reflection, we might become aware of many of our assumptions. Heideggerian
phenomenology can be defined as a way to interpret experiences of shared meanings and
practices embedded in specific contexts.(13)

PHENOMENOLOGICAL METHOD

Many methods have been used in phenomenological research.(14) Frequently, inductive or

qualitative methods involve transcribing material (usually interview transcripts), coding data into
themes, and drawing conclusions regarding the phenomena based on these themes.(15) It is
incumbent upon researchers to seek methods that fit with the philosophy and methodology of
their research question and to chose methods congruent with the research topic and assumptions.

As qualitative researchers, phenomenologists must follow an organized approach to answering

their research question. First, the researcher must develop the question. Next, he or she must
devise a sampling plan to ensure the appropriate subjects are available and willing to answer
questions. Information or data can be obtained by observations, interviews, or written
descriptions. Data then are analyzed using a process of coding and categorizing the information.
Finally, the findings are confirmed by others to ensure the credibility of the conclusions.

PHENOMENOLOGICAL RESEARCH: AN EXAMPLE

One example of phenomenological research in perioperative nursing is examining the lived
experiences of women who have undergone a breast biopsy. Perhaps you have noticed that
patients undergoing this procedure experience many similar feelings, thoughts, and worries. You
question what is the experience and meaning of undergoing a breast biopsy. Data collection
would consist of interviewing patients who have undergone the procedure and consented to be
interviewed. Interviews would be taped for transcription and analysis. Interview questions would
explore patients' experiences and probe into their thoughts, feelings, concerns, and worries
before and after surgery. Patients' narratives would provide helpful perspectives related to this
experience and rich detail about their feelings and thoughts. After the tapes had been transcribed,
they would be analyzed to identify prevailing themes by coding and categorizing the essential
meanings of patients' responses. One or more methods would be used to ensure the credibility of
the findings. Direct quotes from patients would further enhance the credibility of the findings
and conclusions.

CONCLUSION

The concept of research often can be intimidating when one examines qualitative methods, such
as phenomenology. The jargon of various philosophies may be overwhelming. In reviewing any
research study, first try to distinguish whether the study is quantitative, qualitative, or inclusive
of both methods. If it is qualitative, review the specific philosophical underpinnings. If the
underlying philosophy is phenomenology, ask if the researcher used bracketing as part of the
method. Ask yourself whether a researcher truly can bracket life experiences. Research reports
based on qualitative approaches often are easier to read than many quantitative studies. Try
reading a qualitative research study that interests you and see if participants' narratives reflect
your own personal and professional experiences. You may find that your understanding is
consistent with the phenomenological findings and broadened by another's description of similar
experiences.