Phenomenological ResearchPhenomenological Research

Presentation by: Daniel McMillan, Tayna Elberg, David Benjoe, Curtis Lothian

Part 1 (of 4) Outline:Part 1 (of 4) Outline:

Intro Activity and VideoIntro Activity and Video

Defining PhenomenologyDefining Phenomenology

Historical and Philosophical backgroundHistorical and Philosophical background

Major players Major players

Main schools of thought (two)Main schools of thought (two)

MethodologiesMethodologies

Wikispace.com:Wikispace.com:

http://phenomenologyresearch.wikispaces.com/

Intro Video: Intro Video: Feel familiar?Feel familiar?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb8AjKmvaCU

(stop at 0:31)

Intro Activity: Intro Activity: shift in thinking shift in thinking

Arms crossed activity

What is Phenomenological What is Phenomenological Research?Research?

Draws from philosophy, psychology and education

The study of a shared experience. It's purpose is to understand the essence of a lived experience or phenomenon by a group or individual of people(Newberry, 2011). Simply put, it is "the study of the essence of things."

An interpretive mode of inquiry to understand complex experiences or phenomena

Researcher aims to understand the perspective of the person(s) who have an experience and the effect of that perspective on the person(s)

"a human science" approach (in contrast to cognitive or behavioural "natural science" approaches)

Focus and object of the research is on "pulling out" the person(s) story rather then proving or disproving a theory

use of descriptive analysis

method of knowing that "begins with the things themselves."

method of learning about another person by listening to their descriptions of what their subjective world is like for them.

Seeks to describe rather than explain. Starts free from hypothesis.

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Phenomenology is.. a qualitative research technique

which aims to understand, identify and describe a phenomena by how the experience is perceived by its members

objective study of subjective things (phenomenas)

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Phenomenology: Pictorial Representation

Circles: a pictural explanation8

Historical/Philosophical BackgroundHistorical/Philosophical Background

Husserl, the founder of phenomenology, described phenomenology as a method that allowed the contact of phenomena as it was lived and experience by people. Following world war one, with many European ideologies shaken, Husserl wanted to develop a new "philosophical method which would lend absolute certainty to a disintegrating civilization" (Eagleton, 1983, p. 54). While the original concepts of phenomenology can be traced back to Kant and Hegal, most regard Husserl as the founder of this approach with Hedegger following as a major influence on its development.

Phenomenology was an non-empiricalist, non-naturalist, "new science" that attempted to research and give authenticity to the subjective experience. It remained, and remains, more philosophical in nature, however with the more recent adoption of this approach by social sciences such as sociology, psychology, anthropology, education and nursing, more structure has been given to it.

Phenomenology is one of the most significant philosophical movements of the 20th century.

Side note: history of phenomenology and psychology

By the 1970's phenomenology had not yet been established as a reliable alternative to traditional natural scientific psychological approach from psychological research.

Major People and their influence:Major People and their influence:

The following are some of the key people that The following are some of the key people that influenced the development of phenomenology:influenced the development of phenomenology:(See wiki for more detailed list)See wiki for more detailed list)

Major People and their influence:Major People and their influence:Kant and HegalKant and Hegal

Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) and George Wilhelm Hegel (1770-1831)

Their theories on the aesthetics of art in relation to the human experience influenced the later field of phenomenology

Will be discussed more later in presentation

Major People and their influence:Major People and their influence:Franz Bretano (1839-1917)Franz Bretano (1839-1917)

Provided basis for phenomenologyProvided basis for phenomenology

Stressed the intentional nature (or internal Stressed the intentional nature (or internal experience) of conscience beingexperience) of conscience being

Husserl's teacherHusserl's teacher

Major People and their influence:Major People and their influence:Edmund Husserl (1859-1968)Edmund Husserl (1859-1968)

Known as the founder of phenomenologyKnown as the founder of phenomenology

Objected belief that objects in the external world existed Objected belief that objects in the external world existed independently instead though that certainty can exist in independently instead though that certainty can exist in the appearance of things to peoples consciousnessesthe appearance of things to peoples consciousnesses

Said phenomenology was the science of pure Said phenomenology was the science of pure consciousnessconsciousness

Believed in 'bracketing' (and ‘transcendental ego), the Believed in 'bracketing' (and ‘transcendental ego), the process of rendering one's (the researcher's) experience process of rendering one's (the researcher's) experience inoperative to the research in order to not bias it. Thought inoperative to the research in order to not bias it. Thought this was possible and necessary for phenomenology to this was possible and necessary for phenomenology to step back from one’s consciousness to view the step back from one’s consciousness to view the phenomena.phenomena.

(his famous quote) we "must return to the things (his famous quote) we "must return to the things themselves"themselves"

Major People and their influence:Major People and their influence:Martin Heidegger (1889-1976)Martin Heidegger (1889-1976)

Did not believe it was possible to step back from consciousness.Did not believe it was possible to step back from consciousness.

Believed we must pursue ‘authentic’ experiences in lifeBelieved we must pursue ‘authentic’ experiences in life

Introduced the concept of 'Dasein' (or being/existing as a being)Introduced the concept of 'Dasein' (or being/existing as a being)

Idea of the dialogue between the person and their world Idea of the dialogue between the person and their world

[Hermeneutic Phenomenology].[Hermeneutic Phenomenology].

side note: controversial because was sympathetic to the Nazi party ontroversial because was sympathetic to the Nazi party

in Germany, and openly demonstrated support for Hitler in Germany, and openly demonstrated support for Hitler

(interestingly Husserl, his teacher, was Jewish)(interestingly Husserl, his teacher, was Jewish)

Suggested focusing on the lived experience (or the ‘Dasein’), rather Suggested focusing on the lived experience (or the ‘Dasein’), rather

than the phenomena or personsthan the phenomena or persons

idea that one's reality is always influenced by the world they live in idea that one's reality is always influenced by the world they live in

including as researchers (termed one’s “lifeworld”)including as researchers (termed one’s “lifeworld”)

Rejected Husserl's idea of the "transcendental ego"Rejected Husserl's idea of the "transcendental ego"

Major People and their influence:Major People and their influence:Alfred SchultzAlfred Schultz

furthered idea that "the human world comprises furthered idea that "the human world comprises various provinces of meaning"various provinces of meaning"

significant furthers sociological phenomenologysignificant furthers sociological phenomenology

seeks a basis for "sociology of understanding"seeks a basis for "sociology of understanding"

Major People and their influence:Major People and their influence:Sarte and Merleau-PontySarte and Merleau-Ponty

Both greatly expanded the influence of Husserl and Heidegger

Marice Merleau-Ponty believed you can only really understand phenomenology by experiencing it rather than solely comprehending it intellectually

Jean-Paul Sarte believed humans were free to choose their lives and were responsible for their experiences

Major People and their influence:Major People and their influence:Hans-Georg Gadamer (1900-2002)Hans-Georg Gadamer (1900-2002)

Introduced the topic of co-constitutionally, where meanings arrived at in the research are comprised of a blend of both researchers and participants.

Describes this co-constitutionally as the 'fusion of horizons' (with the 'horizon' being the background of a person's ideas, meanings and experiences).

Father of hermeneutics (in the analysis and interpretation of text, sense)

Two Main Schools of Thought:Two Main Schools of Thought:

Two main theoretical schools:

transcendental and

existential (or hermeneutic)

(other forms of phenomenology exist, but not significant)

Main Schools of Thought: TranscendentalMain Schools of Thought: Transcendental

– Husserl based theory

-direct

-outside of the process (phenomena or research) looking in at it trying to understand it. Believe you could view consciousness from outside it’s states

-Transcendental ego and bracketing then to separate from consciousness (suspend judgements/biases about world prior to research)

Main Schools of Thought: ExistentialMain Schools of Thought: Existential(or Hermeneutic)(or Hermeneutic)

– Heiddegger based theory

-indirect or hermeneutic

-a part of the process is examining it from with in a shared consciousness. Thus ew have a biased and involved understanding. Understanding the results as a blend of researcher and participant.

-researcher needs to identify biases in doing research as best possible

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Transcendental vs Existential again with the circles...

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VS.

Existential- on this inside Transcendental - on the outside

Methodology in Phenomenology: Methodology in Phenomenology: part 1part 1

No one prescribed phenomenological method None of the original titans of this philosophy developed a specific, followable

framework and procedures for research (anti-reductionistic) Instead phenomenology is more of an orientation that a specific method The specific procedure used in each study depends on the research question and

the population Later adoption of phenomenology by specific fields, such as sociology, education,

nursing, and psychology, provided more framework/structure to follow.

Other (Side) Notes: Most data collected in phenomenology through data in the form of language includes methods such as accounts of conversations, group dialogue, diary,

autobiography, and personal narratives. Interviews remain the most common means of collecting data in phenomenology Also used research methods include: conceptual analysis; linguistic analysis;

hermeneutical method and praxis; historical-critical method; literary philosophy; and formal logic.

( More on wiki and to be discussed later in presentation )

Part 1 Summary: Important pointsPart 1 Summary: Important points

•Husserl and HeideggerHusserl and Heidegger

•Phenomenology is capturing “what Phenomenology is capturing “what it’s like for them”it’s like for them”

•Two main types of Phenomenology: Two main types of Phenomenology: Transcendental and existentialTranscendental and existential

•Methods: none/many ..and messy!Methods: none/many ..and messy!

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Side note:my personal application -Psychology/therapy

idea of blank slate vs. therapist being a self involved in the process, this mirrors transcendental vs. existential phenomenology.

idea of gaining an understanding of a persons world through them is important!

helps understand existential psychology’s concepts of how we exist

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Questions to think about as we go along..

how can this be helpful? How could you use it?

What do you like about it?

What do you not like about it?

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Thanks for listening. More to comeThanks for listening. More to come