Research approaches related to phenomenology: negotiating a complex landscape

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Date
2011-10-21Author
Dowling, Maura
Cooney, Adeline
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Dowling M, Cooney A (2012) 'Research approaches related to
phenomenology: negotiating a complex landscape'. Nurse researcher, 20
(2):21-27.
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Abstract
Aim To provide a comprehensive overviev\/ of the
many research approaches related fo phenomenology
and their philosophical underpinnings.
Background Phenomenological research approaches
are varied and often difficult to apply appropriately.
Some researchers persist in labelling their studies
as examples of Heideggerian or Husserlian
phenomenology without fully understanding the
implications of the underpinning philosophical
assumptions.
Data sources Methodological sources related to
phenomenology as a philosophy and phenomenology
as a research approach are used to illustrate the range
of phenomenological methods and their philosophical
underpinnings.
Discussion The origins of phenomenology are the
v^/ritings of Husserl and the advancement of his
thoughts by Merleau-Ponty, Heidegger, Gadamer
and Ricoeur. The importance of fully understanding
a methodology and its philosophical underpinnings
before using it, or claiming to use it, is emphasised.
In addition, the variety of phenomenological
research approaches that have evolved over the past
50 years are explored and placed in the context of
their philosophical underpinnings.
Conclusion There is no single way to conduct a
phenomenological study. There are many approaches
from which researchers can choose. This has resulted
in a range of labels and often in different descriptions
for the same approach.
Implications for research/practice It is essential
that researchers planning to use phenomenology
are familiar with the many approaches available.
This knowledge will help researchers choose the
approaches that best suit the aims of their studies.
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