PHENOMENOLOGY

A group report on MSIT 103

By:
Catedral, Idias, Lachica,
Mangila, Matos, Morpos
2022
 Phenomenology
• Now called Descriptive Phenomenology, this study
design is one of the most commonly used
methodologies in qualitative research within the
social and health sciences.
• Used to describe how human beings experience a
certain phenomenon. The researcher asks, “What is
this experience like?’, ‘What does this experience
mean?’ or ‘How does this ‘lived experience’ present
itself to the participant?’
• Attempts to set aside biases and preconceived
assumptions about human experiences, feelings, and
responses to a particular situation.
 Phenomenology
• Experience may involve perception, thought,
memory, imagination, and emotion or feeling.
• Usually (but not always) involves a small sample of
participants (approx. 10-15pax).
• Analysis includes an attempt to identify themes or, if
possible, make generalizations in relation to how a
particular phenomenon is perceived or experienced.
 Phenomenology
Data can be gathered through:
1. Participant Observation
2. Open-Ended Surveys and Questionnaires
3. Interviews (1-on-1)
a) Unstructured
b) Semi-structured
c) Structured
4. Focus meetings
 Methods Of Collecting Data For
Phenomenological Designs
Method Participant observation
Descriptio also known as ethnographic research, is when a sociologist actually
n becomes a part of the group they are studying in order to collect
data and understand a social phenomenon or problem.

Best time we use participant observation to add validity to our monitoring

to Use efforts. Participant observation helps us to see and understand
what people are doing, which we can compare to what people are
saying. It helps us to see if people are doing something different
from what they say that they do.

https://programs.online.american.edu › msme › resources

 Methods Of Collecting Data For
Phenomenological Designs
Method Open-Ended Surveys and Questionnaires
Descriptio Open-ended questions are questions that do not provide participants
n with a predetermined set of answer choices, instead allowing the
participants to provide responses in their own words and allow
the respondents much more freedom and flexibility when
providing their answers.
Best time Qualitative surveys use open-ended questions to produce long-form
to Use written/typed answers. Questions will aim to reveal opinions,
experiences, narratives or accounts. Often a useful precursor to
interviews or focus groups as they help identify initial themes or
issues to then explore further in the research. Surveys can be
used iteratively, being changed and modified over the course of
the research to elicit new information. 
https://www.cmoresearch.com/articles/when-to-conduct-a-focus-group.php#:~:text=Why%20a%20focus%20grou
p%20is,information%20at%20an%20affordable%20cost
.
 Methods Of Collecting Data For
Phenomenological Designs
Method Interviews (1-on-1) Unstructured interview:
Descriptio This method of data collection that involves two or more people
n exchanging information through a series of questions and
answers. The questions are designed by a researcher to elicit
information from interview participants on a specific topic or set
of topics.

Best time You are an experienced interviewer and have a very strong
to Use background in your research topic, since it is challenging to ask
spontaneous, colloquial questions. Your research question is
exploratory in nature.

https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/unstructured-interview/#:~:text=An%20unstructured%20
interview%20is%20the,Unstructured%20interviews%20are%20open%2Dended
.
 Methods Of Collecting Data For
Phenomenological Designs
Method Interviews (1-on-1) Semi-structured interview:
Descriptio This method of data collection that involves two or more people
n exchanging information through a series of questions and
answers. The questions are designed by a researcher to elicit
information from interview participants on a specific topic or set
of topics.

Best time Semi-structured interviews are an effective method for data

to Use collection when the researcher wants: (1) to collect qualitative,
open-ended data; (2) to explore participant thoughts, feelings
and beliefs about a particular topic; and (3) to delve deeply into
personal and sometimes sensitive issues.

https://fmch.bmj.com/content/7/2/e000057#:~:text=Semistructured%20interviews%20are%20an
%20effective,personal%20and%20sometimes%20sensitive%20issues
.
 Methods Of Collecting Data For
Phenomenological Designs
Method Interviews (1-on-1) Structured interview:
Descriptio This method of data collection that involves two or more people
n exchanging information through a series of questions and
answers. The questions are designed by a researcher to elicit
information from interview participants on a specific topic or set
of topics.
Best time A structured interview is a data collection method that relies on
to Use asking questions in a set order to collect data on a topic. They
are often quantitative in nature. Structured interviews are best
used when: You already have a very clear understanding of your
topic.

https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/structured-interview/#:~:text=a%20structured%20interview%3F-,A%20str
uctured%20interview%20is%20a%20data%20collection%20method%20that%20relies,clear%20understanding%
20of%20your%20topic
.
 Methods Of Collecting Data For
Phenomenological Designs
Method Focus meetings
Descriptio This method is a data collection method where a facilitator guides
n the group based on a predetermined set of topics. The facilitator
creates an environment that encourages participants to share
their perceptions and points of view.
Best time Focus groups are beneficial when the goal is to generate an
to Use explanation. If an issue or problem is identified in a quantitative
study and you want additional information on why it is an issue or
problem, a focus group provides an avenue to gather this
information at an affordable cost.
https://programs.online.american.edu/msme/masters-in-measurement-and-evaluation/resources/o
bservation#:~:text=Very%20important%2C%20we%20use%20participant,they%20say%20that
%20they%20do
.
Sample Published Phenomenological Research
A Phenomenological Study of the Lived Experiences of Parents of Young
Children with Autism Receiving Special Education Services. (Donna
Marie Barrow, 2017)
https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5044&context=open_access_etds

The following were the research questions for this dissertation:

1. What are the participants’ lived experiences as parents with a young child
(under age five) with ASD as they relate to early intervention services?
• 1a. What are the participants’ experiences of having a young child
diagnosed with ASD within the past two years?
• 1b. What are the structural essences of the phenomena of parenting a very
young child with ASD in the context of EI services?’
• or experienced.
Sample Published Phenomenological Research
The researcher employed qualitative, phenomenological methodology (Vagle,
2014; Van Manen, 1997) to investigate research questions.
Phenomenological methodology was well suited to explore the meaning
parent participants make of their experiences. The research activity use is
Screening and interview. Prior to scheduled interview, the researcher
conducted 15-minute screening to seven parents.
The following important data gathered were:
• Parents as pioneers.
• Navigating the undeveloped world of autism services.
• Overcoming challenges and obstacles
• Resilience, ingenuity, and hope.
• Making the journey as a family.
• Reflecting on the first three years and looking forward
Sample Published Phenomenological Research
Data analysis used in the study
• Throughout the interview process used prompting strategies to explore
topics that addressed the study’s research questions. The researcher used
audio recorded the interviews, transcribed, coded, and implemented three
member-checking strategies to insure I accurately captured the participants’
lived experiences and to neutralize my own biases and preconceptions. The
researcher maintained a flexible researcher stance (Grafanaki, 1996)
Conclusion
• the findings of this study may inform parent support initiatives, AUT-EI
development, and advocacy. In telling their stories the participants
themselves may have felt validated. The ecological systems theory allowed
me to maintain a contextualized view of autism research and also informed
the study’s activities through acknowledgement of bidirectional influences of
ecologies that influence parenting and child development (Bronfenbrenner,
1978).
Thank you for your time