Introduction

Phenomenology is a qualitative research method that focuses on the study of the lived experiences of individuals within the world. It is most commonly defined as “the study of phenomena as they manifest in our experience, of the way we perceive and understand phenomena, and of the meaning phenomena have in our subjective experience.”[1] This method is best used in order to examine and learn from the experiences of others to inform or re-orient how we understand those experiences. The goal of phenomenology is to describe the meaning of an experience, in terms of what was experienced and how it was experienced.[2] The phenomenological approach that a researcher uses must fit within the school of philosophy of their choosing.

Two Main Phenomenological Approaches

While there are several phenomenological approaches that can be used, there are two main approaches to phenomenology; transcendental and hermeneutic. Transcendental phenomenology, also referred to as descriptive phenomenology, relies on the ontological assumption that reality is internal to the knower and is what appears in their consciousness. The epistemological assumption is that the observer has to separate themselves from the world including their own physical being, in order to research a state of transcendence. This means that the phenomenon is understood through descriptive measures. The researcher must look at the phenomena from multiple different perspectives and identify units of meaning before clustering them into themes to create an in-depth description, which acts as the ‘what’ of the phenomenon. Imaginative variation is then used to create the structural description, which acts as the ‘how’ of the phenomenon. In transcendental phenomenology subjective and objective knowledge are intertwined. The researcher must put aside all of their own attitudes, beliefs, and suppositions to properly focus on the participant’s experience of the phenomena and identify the essences of the phenomenon. Hermeneutic phenomenology, also known as interpretive phenomenology, focuses on human beings as knowers of phenomenon, looking at the relationship between an individual and their lifeworld. Humans are thought to already having an understanding of themselves within the world, and the conscious experience of a phenomenon is not separate from the world or the individual’s personal history. The goal of hermeneutic phenomenology is to “understand the deeper layers of human experience that lay obscured beneath surface awareness and how the individual’s lifeworld, or the world as they pre-reflectively experience it, influences this experience.”[3] It goes beyond a descriptive understanding to interpretation of experiences and phenomena. “Hermeneutic phenomenology studies the meanings of an individual’s being in the world, as their experience is interpreted through his/her lifeworld, and how these meanings and interpretations influence the choices that the individual makes.”[4] The researcher’s subjective perspective is recognized and their past experiences and knowledge are considered valuable to the research process. There is a high level of reflexivity and the researcher’s position must also be considered in the analysis process.

Considerations

Researchers must consider all elements of the research study when organizing a phenomenological study. The access to the research community, the sampling approach, the number of participants needed, the method of data collection, and the consequent methods for data analysis. The different approaches to phenomenology require specific methods to collect data and it is crucial for researchers to consider whether interviews are the right option opposed to the use of protocols or group interviews and observations.

Conclusion

This article examines phenomenology as a qualitative research method. Phenomenology is a complex methodology which can be categorized in multiple different approaches. The two main approaches are descriptive and interpretive. When conducting a phenomenological study, it is important to consider the epistemological and ontological assumptions that arise when selecting a specific approach.  

Take Away

Phenomenology delves into the richness of human experience, exploring how individuals perceive and make sense of the world. Through transcendental or hermeneutic approaches, researchers uncover both the “what” and “how” of experience, revealing deeper layers of meaning. By thoughtfully considering their philosophical foundations and research methods, they ensure a reflective and rigorous study that brings powerful insights into the human condition. [1] Smith, J. A. (2018). “Yes it is phenomenological”: A reply to Max Van Manen’s critique of interpretative phenomenological analysis. Qualitative health research, 28(12), 1955-1958. [2] Teherani A, Martimianakis T, Stenfors-Hayes T, Wadhwa A, Varpio L. Choosing a qualitative research approach. J Grad Med Educ. 2015;7:669–70. [3] Bynum, W., & Varpio, L. (2018). When I say… hermeneutic phenomenology. Medical Education, 52(3), 252-253. [4] Neubauer, B. E., Witkop, C. T., & Varpio, L. (2019). How phenomenology can help us learn from the experiences of others. Perspectives on medical education, 8, 90-97.