Phenomenological nursing research: methodological insights derived from Heidegger's interpretive phenomenology

The phenomenological approach is increasingly being utilised as the method structure for nursing research studies. However, the nursing literature is beginning to reflect a concern with nurse researchers' adoption of phenomenological methods without, at the same time, laying the philosophical and methodological foundations on which the method is built. It is important for nursing knowledge development through research that the choice of research methodology can be argued for, and is judged to be coherent with, both the philosophical tone of the research and the nature of the research question. In this article the concepts underpinning Heidegger's interpretive phenomenological philosophy are examined and discussed in terms of the methodological insights they provide for the conduct of nursing phenomenological research.     

Reality of undertaking research: the experience of novice researchers

The reality of conducting research can pose many challenges for novice researchers. The aim of this article is to describe novice researchers' experience of conducting their first collaborative study and shows the difference between research as presented in texts and the reality of the experience. These differences include the policy-practice gap, which impacts on sample size; the reaction and motivation of nurses to be part of the study sample; and the collaboration between lecturers and clinicians. A brief overview of the research study is provided with a discussion of successes and challenges encountered.     

Michael Crotty and nursing phenomenology: criticism or critique?

In 1996 Michael Crotty published the text Phenomenology and nursing research in which he criticised many nurse researchers' interpretation of the methodology of phenomenology and their utilisation of phenomenology as a method for undertaking qualitative nursing research. Crotty's thesis proposes that the research conducted by nurses is not phenomenology according to the European tradition, but a North American hybrid. Subsequently, debate has occurred amongst nurses as to whether Crotty's work is a scholarly, reasoned critique or a severe, judgmental, fault-finding criticism of nursing research. Considering the increasing utilisation of phenomenology as a methodology that informs nursing research, this debate is an important one and has implications for the conduct of research. This article examines this debate and the implications of Crotty's work for phenomenological research in nursing.     

Unspoken phenomena: using the photovoice method to enrich phenomenological inquiry

Photovoice is a powerful method that is gaining momentum in nursing research. As a relatively new method in nursing science, the situatedness of photovoice within or alongside various research methodologies in a single study remains in a stage of early development. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the photovoice method as a means to elicit phenomenological data when researching the lived experience. While the foundational bases of phenomenology and photovoice differ substantially, the argument presented in this paper suggests that the photovoice method can be successfully used in phenomenological inquiry provided that significant rigour checks are pursued. This includes reflecting upon the origins and understandings of both methodology and method to promote methodological congruency. Data collection and analysis approaches that contribute to phenomenological inquiry using the photovoice method in addition to rigour and ethical considerations are discussed. The use of data generated from photovoice in phenomenological inquiry may fill a void of understanding furnished by limitations of traditional phenomenological inquiry and of spoken language and can enhance understanding of the lived experience, which may not always be best understood by words alone.     

Basic elements and dimensions to the phenomenon of quality of movement – a case study

Quality of movement is frequently referred to as a phenomenon in the European movement tradition, underlining the close connection between outer expression and inner, lived experience. Within physical therapy little is clarified about the phenomenon from the point of view of lived experience. A case study has been undertaken focusing on the lived experience of the phenomenon, searching for basic elements and dimensions. An interpretive phenomenological approach was the method chosen for research. A qualitative interview was conducted involving one movement expert with an understanding and knowledge of the phenomenon. Analysis of the data revealed three levels of views on the quality of movement: basic elements and dimensions, functional use and personal integration. The phenomenon could be understood by the relation between three key elements, postural stability, free breathing and awareness; all contributing to a refinement in movement as well as a greater experience of well-being. The key elements were considered prerequisites to a four-dimensional therapeutic approach involving personal integration of bodily and mental aspects in movement. The basic element and dimensions of the phenomenon of quality of movement can be regarded as a starting point for research in this area.     

From Husserl to van Manen. A review of different phenomenological approaches

This paper traces the development of phenomenology as a philosophy originating from the writings of Husserl to its use in phenomenological research and theory development in nursing. The key issues of phenomenological reduction and bracketing are also discussed as they play a pivotal role in the how phenomenological research studies are approached. What has become to be known as "new" phenomenology is also explored and the key differences between it and "traditional" phenomenology are discussed. van Manen's phenomenology is also considered in light of its contemporary popularity among nurse researchers.     

An approach to the phenomenological analysis of data

In this paper, Helena Priest describes and justifies a phenomenological research method that may be used to explore complex and nebulous concepts relevant to nursing and health care, for example, the concept of 'caring'. The history and development of Husserlian phenomenology are outlined, followed by an account of the use of phenomenology within nursing research. Tensions inherent in the use of Husserlian phenomenology in nursing research are noted. A phenomenological approach to data analysis, designed to address some of these tensions, is described and compared with several well-established phenomenological analysis strategies. Issues of reliability, validity and generalisability are discussed, as are limitations in the use of the approach, before conclusions relevant to healthcare researchers are drawn.     

Witnessing family violence: the children''s experience

A phenomenological study was conducted in order to describe the experience of children as they accompany their mothers who are leaving abusive relationships. Thirteen children were interviewed. The children describe their experience as having three components: living with violence, living in transition and living with Mom. Themes within these components are identified, and implications for nursing practice are discussed.     

“Learning by doing” – Or how to reach an understanding of the research method phenomenological hermeneutics

One problem addressed in teaching graduate students qualitative research methods is practising the cognitive and conative skills that students need to generate both rich data and meaningful analysis.The aim of the study was to illuminate development in a group of pre-doctoral and doctoral students as they learnt the phenomenological hermeneutics research method.In a course comprising 18 doctoral students we used the “guided path” pedagogical approach and decided to use a subject of which everyone has lived experience, “troubled conscience”, for the phenomenological hermeneutic analysis conducted with the students. As the students progressed in their learning experience of the research method, they analysed their data according to the steps in the method, and we as teachers conducted separate analyses of the same data.The results point in the same direction as previous studies in the field. This is discussed in terms of strength of the pedagogical approach and the students’ learning, since despite the fact that their data are limited and not very detailed they were able to come up with results that were in line with previous research.     

Responsible but unprepared: Experiences of newly educated nurses in hospital care

The purpose of this study was to highlight the experience of being newly educated nurses working in internal medicine and surgical units. The nurses were asked to recount their initial work experiences using a narrative approach. A phenomenological hermeneutic method developed for life experience research was applied in the analyses. The study participants were surprised by the discrepancy between the ideals and the theoretical and practical knowledge gained during their nursing education, and the assigned hospital tasks designated as routine care. Prominent features of this were a focus on medical diagnostics and treatment, task orientation and efficiency. Holistic nursing was not felt to be a priority within the unit. This led to frustration and feelings of inadequacy and unpreparedness. They also felt that the responsibility was overwhelming. The findings described are discussed in the context of related publications.     

Academic rigour in the lived experience of researchers using phenomenological methods in nursing in nursing

In its quest for knowledge, nursing has relied heavily on the positivist approach to scientific enquiry Phenomenological enquiry identifies the essence of a phenomenon and accurately describes it through the lived experience Through consistency in the use of the methodology, and avoidance of method slurring, academic rigour can be maintained It is advocated that the phenomenological method is congruent with nursing ideals where humanistic knowledge is valued Nurses and phenomenologists share skills in observation, interviewing, interaction and interpersonal relationships in the appreciation of the individual's perception of an experience Through the development of professional practice, nurses thus gain the tools to assist them in phenomenological research It is suggested that, given appropriate attention to rigour, phenomenological methodology could become the basic instrument in the reform of nursing research as it moves from the positivist to the humanist paradigm     

Adolescent girls'' experience of witnessing marital violence: a phenomenological study

The impact of witnessing marital violence on children and adolescents has only recently come to the attention of family violence researchers. The research emphasis has been on the behavioural effects of exposure to marital violence, with boys from these homes surfacing as the most visible victims. Girls, who some researchers believe show a less visible response, have been a largely neglected group. This phenomenological study explored experiential aspects of exposure to marital violence, focusing on the perspective of five adolescent girls. Data analysis followed the phenomenological method. Seven essential themes that expressed the meaning of this experience for participants were identified. The themes are described and implications for nursing practice and further research are discussed.     

Spiritual resources of Chinese immigrants with breast cancer in the USA

A synthesis of ethnographic and phenomenological research approaches was used to investigate spiritual resource as the lived experience of Chinese immigrants with breast cancer in the US. The assumptions for the phenomena in this study were based upon Tu's cultural China and Confucian spirituality, as well as van Manen's phenomenological perspectives and Kleinman's ethnographic works. Fifteen Chinese immigrants with breast cancer in the US were recruited. The results reveal six cultural themes including family closeness, traditional Chinese values, religion, alternative therapy, art, prose and literature and Chinese support groups.