Phenomenology: Phenomenology: Researching Lived Researching Lived

ExperienceExperience

Presentation Presentation

ByBy

Assoc Prof (Hon) David SmithAssoc Prof (Hon) David Smith

The Challenges of Phenomenology The Challenges of Phenomenology as a Research Toolas a Research Tool

Probably the most challenging of all social science research Probably the most challenging of all social science research methodologiesmethodologies

Probably the least understood of all social science research Probably the least understood of all social science research methodologiesmethodologies

Phenomenology is not simply the study of a phenomenon (a): all Phenomenology is not simply the study of a phenomenon (a): all research studies phenomena but is not phenomenology research studies phenomena but is not phenomenology

To complete phenomenological research effectively you must not To complete phenomenological research effectively you must not only be a very sensitive, highly aware and competent researcher but only be a very sensitive, highly aware and competent researcher but more important someone who has an excellent vocabulary able to more important someone who has an excellent vocabulary able to write in engaging ways using rich metaphoric description to convey write in engaging ways using rich metaphoric description to convey to audience the multi layered understandings and interpretations to audience the multi layered understandings and interpretations that your research has uncovered. that your research has uncovered.

Paradigms, Methodologies Paradigms, Methodologies and Methodsand Methods

Paradigm- philosophical framework of assumptions Paradigm- philosophical framework of assumptions about the nature of reality (ontology), the nature of about the nature of reality (ontology), the nature of knowledge and knowing and how we prove we know knowledge and knowing and how we prove we know (epistemology)(epistemology)

The assumptions of the paradigm shape and provide The assumptions of the paradigm shape and provide parameters for the definition of research problems, the parameters for the definition of research problems, the research question, the selection of methodologies, the research question, the selection of methodologies, the selection of methods of information gathering and selection of methods of information gathering and analysis, and what counts as evidence, the interpretation analysis, and what counts as evidence, the interpretation of findings and drawing conclusions.of findings and drawing conclusions.

Contentious but broadly recognised are two paradigms- Contentious but broadly recognised are two paradigms- normative and interpretive: Arts-based/informed normative and interpretive: Arts-based/informed inquiry?inquiry?

Paradigms, Methodologies Paradigms, Methodologies and Methodsand Methods

Methodologies - distinctive philosophical Methodologies - distinctive philosophical approaches/perspectives within each paradigm (eg, approaches/perspectives within each paradigm (eg, experimental/quasi experimental/ correlational- experimental/quasi experimental/ correlational- normative: case study, historical/ comparative, normative: case study, historical/ comparative, ethnography- interpretive)ethnography- interpretive)

Methods -information gathering and analysis (eg, Methods -information gathering and analysis (eg, observation, survey, interview:analysis of statistics, observation, survey, interview:analysis of statistics, content analysis)content analysis)

Methods can be common to both paradigms (eg, Methods can be common to both paradigms (eg, observation in experimental and ethnography)observation in experimental and ethnography)

Information/data can be represented in quantitative Information/data can be represented in quantitative and/or qualitative forms. and/or qualitative forms.

Phenomenology as a Phenomenology as a MethodologyMethodology

Phenomenology - interpretive paradigmPhenomenology - interpretive paradigm Reality - internal to the knowerReality - internal to the knower Truth- relative, layered, based on personal meaning and Truth- relative, layered, based on personal meaning and

relationship: establishing relationship: establishing ‘‘truthtruth’’ is on weight of is on weight of ‘‘evidenceevidence’’- authenticity: verisilimitude- authenticity: verisilimitude

Knowing and knowledge-experiential & personalKnowing and knowledge-experiential & personal Purpose - understand how individuals construct sense Purpose - understand how individuals construct sense

and meaningand meaning Theory - interactively generated and constructed during Theory - interactively generated and constructed during

the research process: interaction of theory and the research process: interaction of theory and information gathered/evidenceinformation gathered/evidence

Role of researcher - interested participant : brokerRole of researcher - interested participant : broker

Why Choose Why Choose Phenomenology?Phenomenology?

Phenomenology is focused on probing and Phenomenology is focused on probing and understanding human experience and the ways understanding human experience and the ways that people find meaning in their experiences that people find meaning in their experiences and lives.and lives.

Allows us to research and possibly better Allows us to research and possibly better understand some of lifeunderstand some of life’’s big questions and s big questions and issues - issues - ‘‘What is it like to be … ?What is it like to be … ?’’ ‘‘How do … How do … make sense of … ?make sense of … ?’’

Provides opportunities to understand issues and Provides opportunities to understand issues and phenomena in ways and at depths that other phenomena in ways and at depths that other research methodologies donresearch methodologies don’’t allow. t allow.

Research in the Social Research in the Social SciencesSciences

All research in the social sciences is:All research in the social sciences is:*Interactive - involves working with and communicating with *Interactive - involves working with and communicating with

other people: subjective interpretationother people: subjective interpretation*Reflexive - what we find out at the end is directly related to *Reflexive - what we find out at the end is directly related to

how we set up the research at the beginning: asking how we set up the research at the beginning: asking participants to focus on the research question is a direct participants to focus on the research question is a direct intervention in changing the former focus of their thinkingintervention in changing the former focus of their thinking

*Influenced by the theories, assumptions and biases of the *Influenced by the theories, assumptions and biases of the researcher and the methodology (ies): subjectiveresearcher and the methodology (ies): subjective

May have very different outcomes to those intended or May have very different outcomes to those intended or expected - BUTexpected - BUT

Phenomenology is all of these and more!Phenomenology is all of these and more!

Four Types of Four Types of PhenomenologyPhenomenology

TranscendentalTranscendental - Husserl (German) [1859- - Husserl (German) [1859-1938]1938]

Human consciousness and intentional Human consciousness and intentional awareness : awareness : ‘‘lifeworldlifeworld’’: how individuals : how individuals experience the experience the ‘‘taken-for-grantedtaken-for-granted’’ world world

Consciousness not experience: Consciousness not experience: ‘‘essencesessences’’ Reductive description: Reductive description: ‘‘bracketbracket’’ out out

preconceived ideas and assumptions:preconceived ideas and assumptions: Sought objectivity: no room for emotionSought objectivity: no room for emotion Little opportunity for theorising or interpretationLittle opportunity for theorising or interpretation

Four Types of Four Types of PhenomenologyPhenomenology

Interpretive/ hermeneuticInterpretive/ hermeneutic - Heidegger (1920s-1970s)- - Heidegger (1920s-1970s)- Van Manen (1990)- language & hermeneutics to Van Manen (1990)- language & hermeneutics to understand the nature of understand the nature of ‘‘beingbeing’’

* Descriptive interpretations of our experience and how we * Descriptive interpretations of our experience and how we construct our sense of BEING in the world within construct our sense of BEING in the world within locations of time and space: locations of time and space: ‘‘essenceessence’’ from the verb from the verb ‘‘to to bebe’’- essence= not single or absolute but complex array - essence= not single or absolute but complex array

* Interpretations by research participants and by researcher * Interpretations by research participants and by researcher supported by evidencesupported by evidence

Writing constructed in a discourse that is very cognitive, Writing constructed in a discourse that is very cognitive, rational and intellectual : head space (V embodied rational and intellectual : head space (V embodied being)being)

Four Types of Four Types of PhenomenologyPhenomenology

Existential Existential - Bergson, Merleau-Ponty, - Bergson, Merleau-Ponty, Sartre & de Beauvoir (France)Sartre & de Beauvoir (France)

* Influenced by Husserl and Heidegger BUT* Influenced by Husserl and Heidegger BUT Human existence depends on Human existence depends on

embodimentembodiment: how does the body and : how does the body and having a body affect human experience having a body affect human experience eg, premature menopause; skin grafted eg, premature menopause; skin grafted burn patients; organ transplants burn patients; organ transplants

Four Types of Four Types of PhenomenologyPhenomenology

Heuristic Heuristic

* Personal experience of the researcher* Personal experience of the researcher

* Reflective and autobiographical* Reflective and autobiographical Researcher, having experienced the Researcher, having experienced the

phenomena being researched uses that as the phenomena being researched uses that as the basis of the research : possibly the beginning of basis of the research : possibly the beginning of research that involves others who have shared research that involves others who have shared the experience.the experience.

Crotty (1996)- nature of SOCIAL experience Crotty (1996)- nature of SOCIAL experience

Language & HermeneuticsLanguage & Hermeneutics

All types/schools of phenomenology depend on All types/schools of phenomenology depend on language- the choice of language and its use in language- the choice of language and its use in the construction of rich descriptionthe construction of rich description

Van Manen(1990)- language and its use in both Van Manen(1990)- language and its use in both the theory and practice of the interpretation of the theory and practice of the interpretation of texts (hermeneutics) and the interpretive texts (hermeneutics) and the interpretive construction of texts are central to construction of texts are central to understanding understanding ‘‘beingbeing’’ of either the researcher, of either the researcher, the reader or the phenomena being researched.the reader or the phenomena being researched.

PhenomenologyPhenomenology’’s roots lie in the arts, poetry s roots lie in the arts, poetry and literatureand literature

Examples & WholesExamples & Wholes

Phenomenology is a science of:Phenomenology is a science of: Examples - provide the basis for descriptions of Examples - provide the basis for descriptions of

how objects/events/ roles/ phenomena are how objects/events/ roles/ phenomena are experienced/made meaning of experienced/made meaning of ANDAND

Wholes - meaning making and actions can only Wholes - meaning making and actions can only be described,interpreted,explained and be described,interpreted,explained and understood within the situational contexts (place, understood within the situational contexts (place, time & relational) in which they were time & relational) in which they were constructed.constructed.

Phenomenology as MethodPhenomenology as Method Phenomenology is a methodologyPhenomenology is a methodology Phenomenology is also its Phenomenology is also its methodmethod of data gathering, data analysis of data gathering, data analysis

and its product (probably only it and art-informed/based inquiry)and its product (probably only it and art-informed/based inquiry) Texts (all forms) are the information sources to be analysedTexts (all forms) are the information sources to be analysed The analysis and creation of text is the research processThe analysis and creation of text is the research process The construction of descriptive interpretive text(s) is the product of The construction of descriptive interpretive text(s) is the product of

the researchthe research Dialectical process-moving from part of the information set to the Dialectical process-moving from part of the information set to the

whole set and vice versawhole set and vice versa Writing a story that includes elements and strategies for readers to Writing a story that includes elements and strategies for readers to

make connections with the writermake connections with the writer’’s description.s description.

The Task of the Phenomenologist To provide an interpretive DESCRIPTION of

the lived experience of some aspect of the ‘lifeworld’

It is not to provide causal explanations, abstract/theoretical explanations or interpretive generalizations

Any phenomenological research report has to use structure, purpose and language consistent with this task

Doing Phenomenology The Research Question: Existential questions ‘What is it like to be (a) ……? Not conceptual or theoretical questions Not explanatory/causal questions Not questions that require answers of patterns Questions that require interpretive description Example: ‘What is the experience of being a father to

a disabled son?’ [Ian Brown (2011) ‘The Boy in the Moon’

Doing Phenomenology Information Sources: Any text that reveals as we live/be Interviews- self & others: multiple, unstructured--> more

structured to probe, question, develop deeper buried understandings/meanings--> revealing layers of meaning and experience--> development of layered report texts

‘What?’,’How?’,’Who?’,’How did that feel?’ V ‘Why?’ Observation records All written text-novels, auto/biographies, diaries,articles, poetry,

essays, cyber text and participants’ written experience accounts All pictographic text-photos, film/video, paintings, 3D art, song

lyrics, drawings, artefacts Sound- music Memories

Doing Phenomenology Analysing Information Sources: Content analysis to identify themes Highly structured analysis -Transcendental

phenomenology (Husserl)-reductive description bracketing researcher’s preconceived ideas

Unstructured where themes emerge (or don’t emerge): not only ‘weight’ of evidence: once mentioned but highly important

Identifying descriptive and figurative language Carefully recording/tracking the source(s) of

information

Doing Phenomenology Analysing Information Sources: Themes are the structural elements of the

experience being investigated:’knots in the webs of experience around which lived experience is spun’

Examples:Parenting-’bearing children’ (initial body relationship of mother and father);’preparing the child’s world:a place to become and be’;’living with children’;’exercising parental responsibility’

Doing Phenomenology Writing The Report: No one way/style: purpose & audience (if not for

examination- more freedom) Examination- political & strategic Demonstrate critical knowledge/ understanding of

phenomenology as methodology: sources used in the study

Technical language must be consistent with the canons/assumptions of the paradigm & methodology (eg,’participants’ V ‘subjects’: ’representative sample’!!

Doing Phenomenology Writing The Report: Rich descriptive language Appealing to the senses of the reader Use of anecdote Use of figurative language (similes; analogy; personification;

onomatopoeia) Particularly metaphoric language Layered description that gradually reveals deeper probing of the

research phenomena towards richer understanding by the writer and reader

Reawakening echoes of the sensory experience of the reader Inclusion of other written/visual texts

Doing Phenomenology No recipe or prescribed format for producing a

phenomenological research report - as long as the form used is consistent with the assumptions of its paradigm and methodology

Elaborate, penetrate, greater detail and deeper understanding- tasks of the phenomenologist

Four interrelated characteristics or style qualities- ‘concreteness’, ‘evocativeness’, ‘tonalism’, ‘intensification’

Concreteness Permits or denies access to the reader: connections All phenomenological writing is concrete ie, ‘lifeworld

s’ BUT Need to make the familiar strange because of

‘saturated consciousness’ & superficial experience Rich thick descriptive language Examples from everyday experience :anecdotes,

stories Verbatim quotes/transcript (social phenomenology)

Evocativeness Closely related to concreteness Qualities/characteristics that call forth in the

reader images, sounds, smells, colours, textures and feelings of particular experiences or phenomena that enable connections between writer and reader

Vivid, sensual, poetic and figurative language Careful & thoughtful selection of words Reversed perspective of the

‘everyday/ordinary’

Tonalism Related directly to evocativeness Using words to describe/evoke feelings Example: ‘Can I be sure that behind the

curtain these lifeless objects are not gazing at me while crouching and getting ready for an unexpected leap?’[Langveld describing discarded objects in an attic in ‘The Secret Place in the Life of the Child’ (1983)

Intensification Thickening of language or use of imagery to increasingly reveal

facets of the phenomena Describe something familiar in unfamiliar metaphorical terms

(eg, room as ‘a sacred garment’)--> reveals facets of phenomena not before in one’s consciousness

Using words opposite to the phenomena being described (eg, ‘quiet storm’;’menacing embrace’;’abusive love’)

Multiple examples revealing new/different facets: spiral or concentric circles--> deeper, more complex understanding

Doing Phenomenology Writing The Report: Introduction- to phenomena studied, research, sources &

caveats First chapter-review of methodological literature to locate the

research and identify type of phenomenology employed Chapters- one evolving story/multiple stories based on key

themes Final chapter- conclusions & implications Acknowledging sources- in text (??): footnotes: bibliography. Drafting and redrafting selecting words and structures to convey

meaning and achieve coherence.

The Phenomenological Research Community All phenomenological research reports

become information sources for further research and researchers

Eg, Brown.I. (2011) ‘The Boy in the Moon:A Father’s Search for his Disabled Son’.

Elitism?Elitism?

Demands of phenomenological research Demands of phenomenological research and writingand writing

Demands of reading a phenomenological Demands of reading a phenomenological studystudy

Demands of vocabulary, fluency, Demands of vocabulary, fluency, references to sources, hermeneutics and references to sources, hermeneutics and literary styleliterary style

Available to all social researchers?Available to all social researchers?

Key ReferenceKey Reference

Van Manen.M. (2006) Researching Lived Van Manen.M. (2006) Researching Lived Experience:Human Science for an Action Experience:Human Science for an Action Sensitive Pedagogy. London (CA):The Sensitive Pedagogy. London (CA):The Althouse Press.Althouse Press.