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Phenomenology

Supervised by:
Prof. Dr. Abeer Saad
Prof. Dr. Hanan Fahmy
A. Prof Dr: Safaa Abdelmotelb
Presented by:

SAAD HAMDAN ALOTAIBI

DHAIFALLAH AL OTAIBI
BANDAR ALSOFYANI
OMAR ALHARTHI
SULTAN ALOTAIBI
TALAL ALZAHRANI
RAJEH ALZAHRANI
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Objectives
At the end of this session every candidate will be able to:
• Define phenomenology.
• Illustrate phases of phenomenology
• Discuss the fundamental characteristics of the phenomenological method.
• Summarize why we select phenomenology as a research method.
• Illustrate the core steps that the researcher should follow in the phenomenological
investigation.
• Illustrate the elements of phenomenological investigation.
• Discuss the Phenomenological as research method pitfalls.
Outlines
• Introduction
• Definition
• Roots of phenomenology
• Fundamental characteristics of phenomenological method.
• Six core steps
• Steps of hermeneutic phenomenology.
• Elements and interpretation of method.
• Phenomenological pitfalls.
• Application of phenomenology research in nursing.
• Why we select phenomenology as research method.
• Critique
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v Introduction

Qualitative research emphasizes on understanding of human experience, exploring the nature of people‟s
transactions with themselves, others, and their surroundings. Phenomenology is a form of qualitative
research that provides the researcher with an opportunity to gain a deep understanding of the nature or
meaning of everyday experiences.

Phenomenology as a discipline is distinct from but related to other key disciplines in philosophy, such as
ontology, epistemology, logic, and ethics. Phenomenology has been practiced in various guises for
centuries, but it came into its own in the early 20th century in the works of Husserl, Heidegger, Sartre,
Merleau-Ponty and others. phenomenological research seeks essentially to describe rather than explain, and
to start from a perspective free from hypotheses or preconceptions (Husserl 1970).

v Definitions
- Phenomenology was first described as the study of phenomena or things by Immanuel Kant in 1764.
- Phenomenology is the study of human experience and of the ways things present themselves to us in
and through such experience (Sokolowski 2000).
- Phenomenological research is an inductive descriptive approach used to describe an experience as it is
lived by an individual (Thomas, 2000) .
- The purpose of phenomenological research is to identify phenomena through how they are perceived
by the actors in a situation such as the lived experience of chronic pain, habits, fear, stress……ect.
- Phenomenology is the study of structures of consciousness as experienced from the first-person point
of view.
- Phenomenology is a system of interpreting and studying the world of everyday life.

v Phenomenology Roots

The phenomenological movement began around the first decade of the 20th century. This philosophic
movement consisted of three phases:
1- Preparatory phase 2- German phase 3- French phase
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1- Preparatory Phase

Preparatory phase dominated by Stumpf (1848-1936) & Franz Brentano(1838-1917) they demonstrate
the scientific rigor of phenomenology. Clarification of the concept of intentionality was the primary
focus during this time (Spiegelberg, 1965) Which means that; consciousness is always consciousness of
something.

2- German phase
- Edmund Husserl & Martin Heidegger they believed that; philosophy should become a rigorous
science
- Phenomenology should become the foundation for all philosophy and science.
- Husserl‟s major contribution to phenomenology consisted of three elements in particular: essences,
intuiting and phenomenological reduction (bracketing) (Spiegelberg, 1965) .
- Essences are elements related to the ideal or true meaning of something, that is, those concepts that
give common understanding to the phenomenon under investigation.
- According to Natanson (1973), Essences are unities of meaning intended by different individuals in
the same acts or by the same individuals in different acts.
- Essences, therefore, represent the basic units of common understanding of any phenomenon. For
example, Schwarz (2003) explored how nurses experience and respond to patients‟ requests for
assistance in dying.
- Describes the continuum of interventions provided by the nurses in her phenomenological study
that includes “refusal, providing palliative care that might secondarily hasten dying, respecting and
not interfering with patients‟ or families‟ plans to hasten dying, and providing varying types and
degrees of direct AID”
- Intuiting
Intuition is accurate interpretation of what is meant in the description of the phenomenon under
investigation. Intuiting in the phenomenological sense requires that researchers imaginatively vary
the data until a common understanding about the phenomenon emerges.
- Phenomenological reduction: is a return to original awareness regarding the phenomenon under
investigation it begins with a suspension of beliefs, assumptions, and biases about the phenomenon
under investigation.
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- Isolation of pure phenomenon, versus what is already known about a particular phenomenon, is the
goal of the reductive procedure.
- The only way to really see the world clearly is to remain as free as possible from preconceived
ideas or notions.
- As part of the reductive process, phenomenological researchers must first identify any preconceived
notions or ideas about the phenomenon under investigation.
- Having identified these ideas, the researchers must bracket or separate out of consciousness what
they know or believe about the topic under investigation.
- Bracketing requires researchers to remain neutral with respect to belief or disbelief in the existence
of the phenomenon.
- Researchers set aside previous knowledge or personal beliefs about the phenomenon under
investigation to prevent this information from interfering with the recovery of a pure description of
the phenomenon
- Bracketing must be constant and ongoing if descriptions are to achieve their purest form.
3- French phase
- The primary concepts developed during this phases, were embodiment and being-in-the-world.
- Embodiment explains that through consciousness one is aware of being-in-the-world and it is
through the body that one gains access to this world.
- One feels, thinks, tastes, touches, hears, and is conscious through the opportunities the body offers.
- These concepts refer to the belief that all acts are constructed on foundations of perception or
original awareness of some phenomenon and Lived experience given in the perceived world, must
be described. Merleau-ponty(1959).
- Fundamental Characteristics Of Phenomenological Method
- Phenomenology as a research method is a rigorous, critical, systematic investigation of phenomena.
- The purpose of phenomenological inquiry is to explain the essence of the lived experience of a
phenomenon in the research for the unity of meaning which is the identification of the essence of a
phenomenon, and its accurate description through the everyday lived experience” (Rose, Beeby, &
Parker, 1995) .
- Because the focus of phenomenological research is consciousness, phenomenology is always a
retrospective reflection on experience.
- Phenomenology has appeal as a research approach because it views human beings as subjects,
rather than objects, who can make choices based on meaning and values.
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v Why we select phenomenology as a research method in nursing?

- Nurses encourages detailed attention to the care of people as humans and ground its practice in a
holistic belief system that nurses care for mind, body and spirit
- The holistic approach to nursing is rooted in the nursing experience serves as the foundation for
phenomenological inquiry.
- Because professional nursing practice is enmeshed in people‟s life experiences, phenomenology as
research approach is well suited to the investigation of phenomena important to nursing.

Example:
- When caring for a client who has had a mastectomy, the nurse addresses not only body image, but
also the effect of this surgery on family, work and psychological well-being.
- As the nurse might ask the women “how are you feeling about your surgery?” In which this kind of
question elicits more about the patient as a human with a life and feelings.
- As opposed, other question like “ do you want to look at the scare?” in which this question deals
only with removed body part and narrows the understanding of overall impact of this life
threatening events which potentially results in misdirected care.

v Six core steps of the phenomenological investigation are central and one or more
could be combined
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(1) Descriptive phenomenology

Descriptive phenomenology involves “direct exploration, analysis, and description of particular

phenomena, as free as possible from unexamined presuppositions, aiming at maximum intuitive
presentation”. Descriptive phenomenology stimulates our perception of lived experience while
emphasizing the richness, breadth, and depth of those experiences. (Spiegelberg, 1975, p. 57).
Three-step process for descriptive phenomenology:
Intuition Analyzing Describing

a- Intuiting
- requires the researcher to become totally immersed in the phenomenon under investigation and is
the step in the process whereby the researcher begins to know about the phenomenon as described
by the participants.
- The researcher avoids all criticism, evaluation, or opinion and pays strict attention to the
phenomenon under investigation.
- The researcher becomes the tool for data collection and listens to individual descriptions of quality
of life through the interview process. (Spiegelberg, 1965, 1975).
b- Analyzing
- involves identifying the essence of the phenomenon under investigation based on data obtained and
how the data are presented.
- As the researcher distinguishes the phenomenon with regard to elements or constituents, he or she
explores the relationships and connections with adjacent phenomena (Spiegelberg,1965, 1975).
c- Describing
- The aim of the describing operation is to communicate and bring to written and verbal description
distinct, critical elements of the phenomenon.
- The description is based on a classification or grouping of the phenomenon. The researcher must
avoid attempting to describe a phenomenon prematurely.
- Description is an integral part of intuiting and analyzing.
- Although addressed separately, intuiting and analyzing are often occurring simultaneously.
- phenomenological describing would involve classifying all critical elements or essences that are
common to the lived experience of quality of life and describing these essences in detail.
(Spiegelberg, 1965, 1975).
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(2) Phenomenology of essences

- Involves probing through the data to search for common themes or essences and establishing
patterns of relationships shared by particular phenomena.
- Search for common themes or essences and establishing patterns of relationships shared by
particular phenomena.
- The researcher follows through with the steps of intuiting, analyzing, and describing in this second
core step (Spiegelberg, 1965, 1975).
(3) Phenomenology of Appearances
- Involves giving attention to the ways in which phenomena appear.
- In watching the ways in which phenomena appear, the researcher pays particular attention to the
different ways in which an object presents itself.
- Phenomenology of appearances focuses attention on the phenomenon as it unfolds through dwelling
with the data. (Spiegelberg, 1975, p. 66).
(4) Constitutive phenomenology
- “Means the process in which the phenomena „take shape‟ in our consciousness, as we advance from
first impressions to a full „picture‟ of their structure” (spiegelberg, 1975, p. 66).
- Constitutive phenomenology is studying phenomena as they become established or “constituted” in
our consciousness.
- Constitutive phenomenology “can develop the sense for the dynamic adventure in our relationship
with the world”. (Spiegelberg, 1975, p. 70).
(5) Reductive Phenomenology
- This step is critical for the preservation of objectivity in the phenomenological method.
- For example, in a study investigating the meaning of quality of life for individuals with type 1
(insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus, the investigator begins the study with the reductive process.
- The researcher identifies all presuppositions, biases, or assumptions he or she holds about what
quality of life means or what it is like to have diabetes.
- This process involves a critical self-examination of personal beliefs and an acknowledgment of
understandings that the researcher has gained from experience. (Spiegelberg, 1975, p. 70).
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(6) Interpretive nursing research and hermeneutic philosophy

- It is used to search out the relationships and meanings that knowledge and context have for each
other (Lincoln & Guba, 1985).
- A phenomenological-hermeneutic approach is essentially a philosophy of the nature of
understanding a particular phenomenon and the scientific interpretation of phenomena appearing in
text or written word.
- Hermeneutic phenomenology is a “special kind of phenomenological interpretation, designed to
unveil otherwise concealed meanings in the phenomena”(Spiegelberg, 1975, p. 57).
v Three main steps to the process of hermeneutic phenomenology:

Naïve Reading Structural analysis Interpretation

1- Naïve Reading
• The researcher reads the text as a whole to become familiar with the text and begins to formulate
thoughts about its meaning for further analysis.
• The naïve reading directed attention to the phenomenon of power”. Lindholm, Uden, and Rastam
(1999).
2- Structural analysis
• It involves identifying patterns of meaningful connection.
• This step is often referred to as an interpretive reading.
• During the analysis, there was continuous movement between the whole and the parts of the text”.
Lindholm et al. (1999)

3-Interpretation
• Interpretation of the whole follows and involves reflecting on the initial reading along with the
interpretive reading to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the findings.
• Lindholm et al. (1999) performed a separate interpretation of their data during this step and
described themes and subthemes within the data.
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v Phases of hermeneutic phenomenology

1. Early Focus and Lines of Inquiry

• This phase involves critical evaluation of the investigators‟ interview and observation techniques
and identification of missing or unclear data. (Crist & Tanner, 2003, p. 203).
2. Central Concerns, Exemplars, and Paradigm Cases
• The researchers identify themes or meanings.
• Development of the interpretations occurs through writing and rewriting central of concerns.
• Transcript review of summaries begins (Crist & Tanner, 2003, p. 204).
3. Shared Meanings
• Connections between meanings found within and across stories are made (Crist & Tanner, 2003, p.
204).
4. Final Interpretations
• Development of in-depth interpretations, central concern summaries, and interpretive summaries is
undertaken (Crist & Tanner, 2003, p. 204).
5. Dissemination of the Interpretation
• Refinement of manuscripts and development of audit trail are accomplished (Crist and Tanner,
2003, p. 204).
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Researcher’s Role
• As lived experience becomes the description of particular phenomenon, the investigator takes on
specific responsibilities in transforming the information. Five steps that occur in phenomenological
transformation as the investigator makes public what essentially was private knowledge. (Reinharz,
1983).
The transformation occur as
1. People's experiences are transformed in to language
2. The researcher transforms what is seen and heard into an understanding of the original experience
3. The the researcher transform what is understood about the phenomenon under investigation into
conceptual categories that are the essences of the original experience.
4. The researcher transforms those essences into a written document.
5. The researcher transforms the written document into an understanding that can function to clarify
all preceding steps. Reinharz (1983).
Researcher Qualifications
• The investigator must possess the abilities to communicate clearly and to help participants feel
comfortable expressing their experiences.
• The researcher must recognize that personal characteristics such as manner of speaking, gender,
age, and other personality traits may interfere with data retrieval. (Reinharz, 1983).
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Data generation
• It is common to use a small, purposive sample selected from persons who have actually lived the
experience under study and who are able and willing to describe the experience .(Fain, 2013)
• The logic and power of purposeful sampling lies in selecting information-rich cases for study in
depth.(Streubert and Carpenter, 2007).
• Once they have agreed to participate before the interview.(Fain, 2013)
• At the time of the first interview, the researcher may obtain informed consent and permission to
tape-record, if using this data-gathering instrument.(Streubert and Carpenter, 2007).
• Researchers should help participants describe lived experience without leading the discussion using
open-ended, clarifying questions for example: What comes to mind when you think about quality
of life?
• The concern with written responses versus tape-recorded interviews is that descriptions may not
reveal the depth and detail that can be achieved through interviews.
• Participant can write extensive description of their experiences by responding to pre established
questions if the interviews are not feasible. (Streubert & Carpenter, 2007).
Data collection example
• Saturation refers to the participants‟ descriptions becoming repetitive, with no new or different
ideas or interpretations emerging
• Interviews continued until data saturation occurred—that is, when new themes or essence or
patterns about the major construct under study no longer emerged from the data and when concepts
and relationships were validated with a variety of participants. Although data saturation had been
achieved after the completion of 12 out of 20 interviews, interviews continued rather than close the
study to those who already had volunteered to participate. (Fain,2013)
Ethical considerations
• Informed consent: The consent document explains the research and procedures to be used, a
description of risks and benefits to the participant, specific permission to tape and record interviews
(if appropriate), and a discussion of how the researcher will ensure confidentiality and privacy to
the participant (without reveal participants‟ identities)
• The participant‟s freedom to withdraw from the project without penalty and to ask questions is also
stated. (Fain, 2013).
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• Researcher must determine how to present the data without reveal participants‟ identities
(confidentiality) and how to present accurate data when preparing a final manuscript. (Streubert, &
Carpenter, 2007).
• The institutional review board (IRB) is used by most academic and health service institutions to
oversee research activities.(Fain, 2013)
Data treatment
• Accuracy of data collection will increase by using an open-ended interviewing technique, tape
recordings, and verbatim transcriptions.
• Researchers will make handwritten notes . (Streubert, & Carpenter,2007).
• A second or third interview may be needed (to elicit full description).(Fain, 2013)
• Following an interview, researchers should immediately listen to the tape, checking that the
interview made sense and verifying the need for a follow-up interview
• researchers should make extensive, detailed notes immediately after the interview in case the tape
recording has failed
• Following data collection and verbatim transcription, researchers should listen to the tapes while
reading the transcriptions for accuracy. (Streubert, & Carpenter,2007).
Data analysis
• All methods of data analysis require the researcher to engage in a dialogue with the data and use
inductive reasoning and synthesis (Fain, 2013)
• The purpose is to preserve the uniqueness of each participant‟s lived experience while permitting an
understanding of the phenomenon under investigation. (Streubert, & Carpenter,2007).
• The researcher must read and listen to the data many times. (Fain, 2013)
• The researcher must not rush and describe the lived experience prematurely. (Fain, 2013)

• The researcher needs to take his/or her time and become immersed in the participant‟s descriptions
to identify themes and essences related to the lived experience.
• A system for filing, coding, and retrieving data is a necessary first step in the analysis of data.
Early transcription and analysis of recorded interviews help the researcher maintain the essence of
the interview. Some computer programs are now available to assist in data management (Fain,
2013)
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Review of the literature

Ø The review of literature generally follows data analysis, in goal of achieving a pure
description of the phenomenon under investigation and avoid biases
Ø Once data analysis is complete, researcher review the literature to place the finding within
the contextof what is already known about the topic. ((Streubert, & Carpenter,2007).
Trustworthiness and authenticity of data
• The trustworthiness of the questions put to study participants depends on the extent to which they
tap the participants‟ experiences apart from the participants‟ theoretical knowledge of the topic
• The researchers return to each participant and ask if the exhaustive description reflects the
participant‟s experiences to ensure trustworthiness of data analysis. (Streubert, & Carpenter,2007).
• Requesting negative descriptions of the phenomenon under investigation is helpful in establishing
authenticity and trustworthiness of the data. For example, “Can you describe a situation in which
you would feel that you did not have quality of life? (Streubert, & Carpenter,2007).
• Credibility requires that findings are faithful descriptions or interpretations of the lived experience.
The findings are recognized by people in the situation as an accurate description of their own
experience. (Fain, 2013)
• Researchers must prepare their final descriptions in such a way that the line of thinking and
interpretation that occurred is clear to the reader and true to the data. (Streubert, & Carpenter,2007).

v Application of Phenomenological Research in Nursing

Phenomenological Method Applied to Nursing Practice

• Nurses enmeshed in practice settings are well aware that much of what is done for patients is
subjective and based on how nurses come to know their patients and the patients‟ life experiences.
For example, caring, reassurance, and quality of life are phenomena central to nursing practice, but
they do not necessarily lend themselves to quantitative measurement(Streubert, & Carpenter,2007).
• Phenomenology as qualitative research method has been used to explore a Varity of practice- related
experience & facilitate understanding of subjective interactive experience.
• Example: Nurses perceptions of caring while working on surgical wards To describe the experience
of loneliness for women more than a year following breast cancer treatment. (Streubert, &
Carpenter,2007).
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Phenomenological Method Applied to Nursing Education

• Nursing education also lends itself to quantitative and qualitative investigations
• Quantitative investigations, education-related examples are test construction and critical thinking.
• Qualitative investigation, education- related examples are educational experiences, effect of
evaluation on students performance in the clinical setting. (Streubert, & Carpenter,2007).

Phenomenological Method Applied to Nursing Administration

• The qualitative research literature addressing issues uniquely related to nursing administration is
limited, possibly because many of the issues that lend themselves to qualitative education in nursing
administration overlap with the practice arena.
• For example, studies related to professional nurse behavior and work satisfaction, successful
leadership strategies, and perspectives on nurse empowerment would cross over between
administration and practice. (Streubert, & Carpenter,2007).