Exploratory research and phenomenology are two different research approaches that can be used in qualitative research. Exploratory research is a type of research design that is used to understand a relatively unknown problem or phenomenon, particularly in cases where little is understood about the topic. It is generally used to build a more comprehensive understanding of the research question, and to identify potential areas for future research. On the other hand, phenomenology is a specific research methodology that is used to explore the meaning and essence of human experiences related to a particular phenomenon. While exploratory research and phenomenology are distinct research approaches, they can both be used together as part of a broader qualitative research design to explore and understand unknown phenomena.

Phenomenology goes well beyond experiencing the participant's point of view. Instead, it require deeper insights, based on a series of philosophical traditions. Virtually all qualitative research requires an effort to understand the participant's point of view, so I suggest you keep things simple and just emphasize the strengths of qualitative research for exploratory research.

Thank you David! That is also very helpful. After having these discussions I also decided to keep things simple and employ exploratory research by the method of qualitative methods and a phenomenological understanding/attitude (but not methodology). To emphasize that the experience is lived and described from the customers point of view with very little input or influence from the researcher (me) but also not within serious phenomenology.:)

Phenomenology does indeed emphasize lived experience, but so does nearly all qualitative research, and the same is true about hearing things from the participants' point of view with very little input or influence from the researcher.

I really think you need to read more about phenomenology before you say that you are following that perspective.