Phenomenology Qualitative Research Method

“Its Not Easy Being Green” By Ronda Hildebrand, Chris Bikakis, Carol Lewallen,

Robin Koster & Rachel Wurth

Objectives At the end of this presentation,

the learners will be able to...

State some of the key assumptions of phenomenology based research

Discuss the philosophical base of the method. Indicate when this method is appropriate for

research and identify appropriate research questions.

Discuss methods of data analysis and how results are presented

Analyze and critique published research done using this method.

Key AssumptionsHumans coconstitute situations. (Parse 2001)

Key AssumptionsKnowledge about human experience is expanded by allowing essences of phenomena to appear through descriptions without predictable prescriptions. (Parse 2001)

Key Assumptions Knowledge about human experience is

gained from retrospective descriptions of lived experiences. (Parse 2001)

So What Does All This Mean?

Philosophical BasePhenomenology is both a research

method and a philosophyThe phenomenological movement

arose in Germany in the late 19th century.

Early philosophers were trained in religion, philosophy, mathematics, or physics.

Philosophical Base Edmund Husserl’s

descriptive phenomenology

Martin Heidegger’s interpretive phenomenology (also called hermeneutics)

Heideggar

Philosophical BaseHusserl

Three components to this approach Essences Intuiting Phenomenological

reduction (Bracketing) or setting aside all previous experience including the existence of other subjects.

Presuppositions and relationships are viewed as necessary to understanding and they should not be suspended.

Experiences can be understood in a new way by recognizing historical influences and meanings of past traditions.

Philosophical Base The French phase (during WWII) sought to

intertwine objectivity and subjectivity. Key figures were Gabriel Marcel, Jean-Paul Sartre and

Maurice Merleau-Ponty. Objectivity and subjectivity are united to form the

human experience.

North American phenomenology will focus on describing the lived experiences within the context of a participants culture rather that searching for universal meaning.

Philosophical Base While the assumptions of phenomenology

are similar to the values of holistic nursing, interpretations of the many different forms of phenomenology have led to controversy.

“Nursing is a human science that focuses on individuality, is holistic in nature, and involves concern for human responses” (Dinkel 2005 p.8)

Why do nurses use phenomenology? Nursing is a human science that focuses on

providing individualized care. Nursing is holistic in nature. Nursing is concerned with human responses and

experiences.

The concern of phenomenology Phenomenology is concerned with the subjective

experience, which is considered to be more real and more important in the understanding of human nature and human experience.

It focuses on the person’s lived experience within a phenomenon, including shared meanings and commonalities.

The phenomenological movement Three main phases:

German phase with Husserl, the father of the movement (descriptive) and Heidegger (interpretative and hermeneutics)

French phase which influenced psychology and psychiatry.

Dutch phase (combining descriptive and interpretative methods

A new phase? The North American focus.

Phenomenology

Main types: Descriptive Interpretative Hermeneutics

Main methods: Interview (relaxed)- to

explain experiences fully and deeply until nothing further to say

Group interviews Diaries or journals Audiotapes Videotapes Participant observations

Phenomenological Research Purposive sampling – participants have knowledge

of a phenomenon Small sample size – until saturation achieved Usually relaxed interviews – from 30-120 minutes. Conducted in comfortable environment or natural

environment of participants

Basic components of phenomenology Intuiting Bracketing Identifying the essence Describing

Examines lived experiences or phenomenon Essences or the most essential meaning for Participants are co-researchers and co-create meaning No causal inference

Sample questions

What are the lived experiences of being clinical educators?

What are women’s expectations and experiences of childbirth?

What is the lived experience of pain during childbirth?

What is the lived experience of adolescents living with depression?

Sample questions

What is the lived experience of cardiac patients waiting for a heart transplant?

What is the lived experience of grieving the loss of a loved one?

What are the essential features of loneliness? What is the lived experience of families with a child

who has cancer?

Phenomenological Research Analysis

Remember- the intention is not to generate theory or determine

causality- but rather to describe and possibly understand the

essence of the concept by giving voice to the human experience just

as it is.

Phenomenological Analysis- A few things to know Phenomenologists are sometimes reluctant to focus or

refer to steps (too scientific) TIME CONSUMING Only people who have lived the reality of the subject are

legitimate sources of data- so always retrospective Most usual data source is verbatim transcripts of

interviews Horizontalisation- All elements of data are initially

deemed equal

Phenomenological Analysis- Becoming one with the data....Yes, Parse Terms

IntuitingAnalyzingDescribing

Phenomenological Analysis - HandoutMultiple “methods’ devised-some common features

simplified regarding data: The division of text into units The transformation of units into meanings (also

called phenomenological concepts) The tying together of transformed

meanings/concepts to general description of the experience

Presentation of Results Themes/Essences/ Patterns/Common

Concepts are identified.

Then a comprehensive description of the phenomena being considered is told- much like a story.

Often quotes are used. An understanding of a lived experience should occur for the reader.

“Informational needs and the experiences of women with abnormal Papanicolaou smears”- next two slides.

Dealing with stigmaSeveral participants indicated a burden of shame whenthey learned that their abnormal Pap smear was a result ofan HPV infection:

Many years ago when my aunt had cervical cancerpeople were very supportive but they had no idea thatit had anything to do with HPV. But now it’s different.I feel like I won’t get that support because no one isgoing to feel sorry for someone who got a sexuallytransmitted disease and then later developed cervicalcancer because of it . it’s like it’s your fault . it’shorribly embarrassing.

Social stigma was also characterized by an altered self-imagerepresented by feeling contaminated, feeling a senseof anger and unfairness because they considered themselvesat low risk for acquiring a sexually transmittedinfection. The terms clean and dirty were used to describea physical self-concept associated with social stigma:

The first lady [healthcare provider] I went to made mefeel like I wanted to zip myself up in a Ziploc bag. Allthe information I got was that it was super serious andit’s a communicable disease like hepatitis or HIV.

Strategies to Ensure Rigor

Validity- to increase the trustworthiness of the interpretations of the date

Prolonged engagement with the data Verification with the participants/source Peer evaluations- regularly present for debriefing

Strategies to Ensure Rigor

Reliability – to increase consistency of procedures/data generated.

Disclose personal orientation/context. Intensive engagement with material and iterations

between data & interpretation Technical accuracy with recording/transcribing

Phenomenon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5Mc55P1i9g

Qualitative CritiqueNurses’ Experiences of

Drug Administration Errors

Why?Purpose of research?

Appropriate Qualitative Approach

Was exploring, interpreting or obtaining a deeper understanding of a clinical issue the objective?

Settings & ParticipantsTrue Random SampleWide range of experiences within group

Data Collection Methods Enough information given about collectionSensible & adequate way to address

research question?

Data Analysis MethodSystematic way of analyzing data?Examples sought which contradict the

majority?

Credibility & ImportanceUse common sense to determine if results

are sensible & believableDo results matter in practice? Is actual data sited?Are results independently & objectively

verifiable & traceable?

ConclusionsHow well does the analysis explain why people

behave in the way they do?How comprehensible would this explanation be

to a thoughtful participant in the setting/How well does the explanation cohere with

what we already know?

Critique of Phenomenology Study

Vulnerable and Strong

CritiqueWhat is the study purpose?

To describe the maternity care experiences of a sample of lesbian couples

Does the question lend itself to using phenomenology method?

Each participant lived the experienceLittle is knownSensitive topic

Why did the researcher believe there was value in this study?

To address the reported “lesbian baby boom”All women feel powerful experiences of life,

death, vulnerability and solitude during “maternity care”

Healthcare providers should see each woman as individuals, regardless of patient’s “culture”, be professional while providing empathy

Lesbian patients could benefit if providers had increased knowledge and ethical aspects of these specific encounters

Method & Data AnalysisDid participants live the phenomenon

in question and did the research incorporate his or her own beliefs?

Were the participants willing to describe their experiences? How?

What about the setting or researchers showed successful interviewing?

How did the researcher successfully interpret the data?

Method & Data Analysis

ValiditySpecific opening question provided in

the studyOpen narrative and only interrupted if

clarification needed3 phases of interpretation defined

(Intuiting, Analyzing, Describing)

Method & Data Analysis

ReliabilityEvery participant was interviewed by

researcherEvery participant was a lesbian motherInterviews recorded and transcribed

verbatim by the researcherDocumented that there was discussion

with study supervisor re design and data

Method & Data Analysis

RigourJoint interviews provided shared and in-

depth narrativeFocused on 3 phases as opposed to

follow up Only 2 participants revisited , no

response recorded

Conclusion Is the description simple in identifying themes?

Is there an exhaustive essential description

Can the reader see the central theme or phenomeneon

Did the researcher express alternatives?

Conclusion Is the description simple in identifying themes?

YES, simply stated 3 main themes; being open, being exposed and being confirmed also presented in graph

Is there an exhaustive essential description YES, then the author gives in-depth description of each theme

Can the reader see the central theme or phenomenon YES in reading the excerpts and detailed description

Did the researcher express alternatives? how provider contributes to lesbian maternity experience or

caring by taking responsibility

Closing Thought“Doing phenomenological research is a challenging,

exciting, and at times exhausting process. Theresearcher is forced into a sometimes uncomfortableself-awareness as she plums not only the meaning of

the phenomenon for participants but her ownresponses. The final research product can provide a

real sense of satisfaction for the researcher, an oftenexpressed sense of meaningful contribution by the

research participants, and insight and understandingfor the reader.” Julie Donalek, 2004

The End

Phenomenon!Doo dooo do do do

Phenomenon! do doo do do

References Dinkel, S. (2005). Phenomenology as a nursing research method. The Kansas Nurse, 80(5), 7-10.

Dowling, M. (2003). Hermeneutics: an exploration. Nurse Researcher, 11(4), 30-39.

Jasper, M. (1994). Issues in phenomenology for researchers of nursing. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 19(2), 309-314.

Leininger, M. (1988). Caring: An essential human need. Proceedings of the Three National Caring Conferences (pp. 129-132). Detroit, Michigan: Wayne State University Press.

Munhall, P.L. (2007). Nursing research: A qualitative perspective. (4th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Parse, R. (2001). The phenomenological method. Qualitative inquiry: The path of sciencing. Boston, MA: National League for Nursing.

Priest, H. (2002). An approach to the phenomenological analysis of data. Nurse Researcher, 10(2), 50-63.

Schelbred A. & Nord, R. (2007) Nurses’ experiences of drug administration errors. Journal of Advanced Nursing 60(3), 317–324.

Spidsberg, B.D. (2007) Vulnerable and strong – lesbian women encountering maternity care. Journal of Advanced Nursing 60(5), 478–486.

Van der Zalm, J.E. & Bergum, V. (2000). Hermeneutic-phenomenology: providing living knowledge for nursing practice. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 31(1), 211-218.