Phenomenology: A Philosophy and Method of Inquiry
Journal of Education and Educational Development May 30, 2018 DOI: 10.22555/joeed.v5i1.2154 (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractPhenomenology is both a philosophy and a method of inquiry focused on interpreting and making meaning of human lived experiences at a conscious level. Husserl's early approach treats phenomenology as a science that examines phenomena as they appear, while Heidegger's interpretive-hermeneutic variant deepens understanding by using bracketing to set aside assumptions. Data collection and analysis occur simultaneously to illuminate specific experiences and identify phenomena as perceived by actors in particular situations. The outcomes broaden thinking, improve ways of seeing phenomena, and define a researcher's posture through intentional study. Subjectivity and personal knowledge remain central to interpreting participants' viewpoints.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Sociology Philosophy |
| Key finding | Proposes that phenomenology, particularly the Heideggerian interpretive-hermeneutic approach, is a valuable method for understanding lived experiences in social sciences through bracketing and side-by-side data collection and analysis. |
Abstract
Phenomenology as a philosophy and a method of inquiry is not limited to an approach to knowing, it is rather an intellectual engagement in interpretations and meaning making that is used to understand the lived world of human beings at a conscious level. Historically, Husserl’ (1913/1962) perspective of phenomenology is a science of understanding human beings at a deeper level by gazing at the phenomenon. However, Heideggerian view of interpretive-hermeneutic phenomenology gives wider meaning to the lived experiences under study. Using this approach, a researcher uses bracketing as a taken for granted assumption in describing the natural way of appearance of phenomena to gain insights into lived experiences and interpret for meaning making. The data collection and analysis takes place side by side to illumine the specific experience to identify the phenomena that is perceived by the actors in a particular situation. The outcomes of a phenomenological study broadens the mind, improves the ways of thinking to see a phenomenon, and it enables to see ahead and define researchers’ posture through intentional study of lived experiences. However, the subjectivity and personal knowledge in perceiving and interpreting it from the research participant’s point of view has been central in phenomenological studies. To achieve such an objective, phenomenology could be used extensively in social sciences.