I have become totally confused about my methodology section now I am writing it up. I know it's BAD! But the more I have read the more unclear it has become to me. I thought it was qualitative phenomenological research but I am not so sure anymore....
I conducted 12 semi-structured interviews and then used (Hycner 1985) phenomenological analysis of interview data. Any texts that could help? I've read Cresswell and Gray... no clearer about what I have actually done!
I am not sure what the source of your confusion is. If you used a form of phenomenological analysis, why are you unsure about labelling your research as phenomenological?
I suppose I am confused about where phenomenological research fits in with my overall approach. I am looking a Crotty's 1998 diagram: epistemologies, theoretical perspectives, methodologies and finally methods. Would it be correct to say my epistemology is constructionism and my theoretical perspectives are interpretive phenomenology. And does that all sit under the umbrella of a qualitative approach?
The following sources should be helpful:
- Bevan, M. T. (2014). A Method of Phenomenological Interviewing. Qualitative Health Research, 24, 1, pp. 136-144.
- Crotty, M. (1996). Doing phenomenology. In: Willis, P. and Neville, B. (eds.) Qualitative Research Practice in Adult Education. Ringwood, Victoria, Australia: David Lovell Publishing, pp. 272-284.
- Ehrich, L. C. (1996). The difficulties of using phenomenology: A novice researcher's experience. In: Willis, P. and Neville, B. (eds.) Qualitative Research Practice in Adult Education. Ringwood, Victoria, Australia: David Lovell Publishing, pp. 197-214.
- van Manen, M. (1984). "Doing" phenomenological research and writing : an introduction, Edmonton, University of Alberta.
- van Manen, M. (1984). Practicing phenomenological writing. Phenomenology + Pedagogy, 2, 1, pp. 36-72.
- Wilson, A. (2015). A guide to phenomenological research. Nursing Standard, 29, 34, pp. 38-43.
- Wojnar, D. M. and Swanson, K. M. (2007). Phenomenology: An Exploration. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 25, 3, pp. 172-180.
- What are the essential basics for qualitative research using methods of phenomenology?: https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_are_the_essential_basics_for_qualitative_research_using_methods_of_phenomenology
In one sense of the term 'phenomenological' there might be a difference in the questions you ask as well.
A grounded theory approach (or similar) looks to outline the norms or rules that apply to a phenomenon and often proceed by looking at extremes or boundary conditions: 'what was your worst (or best) experience of lecturing? Why was it bad?' It encourages the informant to give or deduce his or her own perception of the 'rules of the game'.
A phenomenological take on the same phenomenon would deliberately avoid all interpretation of the situation in terms of rule-following and be interested in the experience of it: 'what is lecturing like, typically?', or (much better!) 'Tell me about the lecture you gave last Tuesday.'
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