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.
Researchers using phenomenological research design assume that people use a universal structure or essence to make sense of their experience. They interpret the participants’ feelings, perceptions, and beliefs to clarify the essence of the phenomenon under investigation. Phenomenological research design requires the researcher to bracket whatever a priori assumption they have about the experience or phenomenon.
In simpler terms, researchers use phenomenological research designs to understand a phenomenon’s universal nature by exploring the views of those who have experienced it. This approach is popularly used to study lived experience, gain a deeper understanding of how human beings think, and expand a researcher’s knowledge about a phenomenon. For example, a researcher could explore a phenomenon like antisocial behavior in the workplace, women’s experiences with a particular disease, and many more.
Below are the four main characteristics of phenomenological research design.
Researchers can use a variety of methods in phenomenological designs. Some of the most common methods are:
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.
There is no clear-cut way to carry out a phenomenological inquiry. However, research involving phenomenological design often follows this pattern:
Below is a phenomenological research design example to help you better understand this qualitative research method.
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.
Barrow captured the lived experiences of all the participants by conducting interviews with each of the mothers. Before the interview, Barrow asked each of the participants to bring ten family photographs and explained the importance of the photographs and how they would be used during the meeting.
Barrow asked questions to explore each parent’s experiences during the first interview and used the photos as a tool to help the family reflect on their experiences with their child. Additionally, the researcher used the first interview to build rapport with the participants and gain their trust.
Barrow analyzed the notes from the first interview with each participant and used them to prepare for the second interview. During the second meeting, Barrow reviewed the notes from the first interview with the participants and engaged in deeper conversation to get a full picture of their lived experiences.
The interviews with the parents produced over 300 pages of transcripts. Barrow analyzed this data and identified seven essential themes shared by the four mothers. At the end of the study, the researcher contextualized the complexity of family life and how it affects parenting, and the unique experience of parenting children with autism receiving early intervention services.
Social scientists use phenomenological inquiry to:
Some of the downsides of phenomenological research are:
Phenomenological research design focuses on exploring the essence of human experiences and understanding the meaning people attribute to those experiences. It seeks to capture the underlying structures and core aspects of these experiences without imposing preconceived theories or interpretations.
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), on the other hand, is a specific qualitative research approach rooted in phenomenology. IPA aims to deeply understand individual experiences by examining how participants interpret and make sense of those experiences within their unique contexts. Unlike traditional phenomenology, IPA acknowledges the role of the researcher's interpretations while aiming to remain close to participants' perspectives.
So, while both phenomenological research and interpretative phenomenological analysis share a focus on exploring human experiences, IPA adds an interpretive layer that examines participants' sense-making processes within their social and cultural contexts.
The Delve qualitative analysis tool can streamline the code for your qualitative data and help you to practice phenomenological research. Start a free trial of Delve today!
