4.3 Research Resign
4.3.6 Phenomenological Research
4.3.6.3 Different Types of Phenomenology
There are two main types of phenomenological enquiry in qualitative research, namely descriptive and interpretive phenomenology. Husserl pioneered descriptive phenomenology, while Heidegger pioneered interpretive phenomenology (Connelly, 2010). Strengths and weaknesses of each type will be outlined below as well as the reason for using one of them.
4.3.6.3.1 Interpretive Phenomenology
According to Langdridge (2007) Hermeneutic phenomenology and existential phenomenology are other names for interpretive phenomenology (Spinelli, 2005).
Hermeneutics is the process by which an observer interprets language or content; it can be used as a methodology or to advance phenomenology (Webb & Pollard, 2006);
hence, the substitute narration of interpretive phenomenology. Van Manen has been refining the phenomenological hermeneutic approach. Gadamer's philosophy, which is that language, including the language of the interview, provides the means for data, informs his method (Langdridge, 2007). A branch of human science called hermeneutic phenomenology examines people (van Manen, 1997). Reflexivity of a person during the evaluation of a scenario or experience can help in interpreting the meanings uncovered or give value to those types of interpretations when employing hermeneutic (interpretive) phenomenology as a methodology. Reflexivity is the process by which researchers become conscious of and reflective about the ways in which their procedures, questions, methodologies, and subject states may have an impact on the data or psychological knowledge compiled in a study (Langdridge, 2007).
According to Sloan and Bowe (2014), the following are the strengths and weaknesses of interpretive phenomenology:
Strengths of interpretive phenomenology:
• It emphasises the need of having faith in the value and strength of subjective consciousness.
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• From the perspective of hermeneutic phenomenology, awareness is seen as having vital, living structures, of which we might receive explicit knowledge through a process of reflection.
• It includes of suggestions made to the researcher regarding how to interpret meanings related to phenomena.
• Finding themes and connecting with the facts analytically are key to comprehending the meaning of experience.
Weaknesses of interpretive phenomenology:
• • It downplays the significance of the phenomenon's core elements.
• It is more complex, and time is a factor.
The researcher did not use interpretive phenomenology because it is complex and does not put more emphasis on the phenomenon. Consequently, this phenomenology was not considered.
4.3.6.3.2 Descriptive Phenomenology
Qualitative research is descriptive in nature in that the researcher is concerned in interpretation, procedures, and knowledge is obtained using pictures or words. As stated earlier, descriptive phenomenology was established by Husserl (Connelly, 2010).
Descriptive phenomenology by Husserls is also called transcendental phenomenology.
Here the researcher explores the meanings that insiders’ attribute to an experience and describes their findings in accurate words without any intention of interpretation (Husserl, 1962). According to Sloan and Bowe (2014), correlating the noema of experience (the "what") and the noesis of experience (the "how it is experienced") is the goal of descriptive phenomenology. This notion of descriptive phenomenology is further amplified by Creswell (2015), who points out that phenomenology describes the ‘what’
and ‘how’ of individuals’ experienced phenomena.
Since the observer can step back from the events and meanings being investigated to take on a broad perspective on the essences discovered, Husserl's descriptive or transcendental phenomenology was given this name, indicating that the meanings of
69 human experiences have been objectified (Smith et al., 2009). It is important to note that, despite the fact that Heidegger's hermeneutic phenomenology followed Husserl's descriptive phenomenology, it did not displace or supersede the earlier method or take away from the value of descriptive phenomenology as a tool for identifying the essences of human experience. Choosing which of these ideologies or techniques is appropriate for a certain subject requires judgment, which is important.
There are some similarities are found in Husserlian phenomenology, Heidegger and Gadamer's hermeneutic phenomenology. Both of these traditions have their roots in German philosophy; their creators collaborated and had mutual impact. Each of these phenomenologists sought to understand the real world or genuine human experience.
Both Husserl and Heidegger demanded an examination of the reality of our world and ourselves as responsive beings since they believed that the world is just one life world among many others (Laverty, 2003). The focus of the Husserlian approach to phenomenology is on the idea of describing the continuous elements of occurrences as they come into awareness. As a result, through such a description, the researcher interacts with the phenomenon's structure (Crotty, 1998).
Like all different types of research, descriptive research has both advantages and disadvantages, some of the most important of which are listed below (Fox & Bayat, 2008).
Strengths of descriptive phenomenology
• Researchers can employ both quantitative and qualitative data in descriptive research,
• This data collecting enables descriptive research to offer an understanding of human events.
• It is quick to perform and inexpensive.
• It enables the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data.
• It allows the formulation of hypotheses, as well as giving a large amount of valuable data for the development of future investigations.
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• By using descriptive research, data is gathered in the environment where it happens, without any form of alteration, ensuring high quality and integrity.
Weaknesses of descriptive phenomenology
• One significant disadvantage of descriptive research is the lack of confidentiality.
• Subjectivity and mistake are detrimental in descriptive research.
• Reliability issues, which makes it difficult to carry out a credible investigation.
The researcher used descriptive phenomenology in the present study because it gave professional nurses an opportunity to share and describe in detail their lived experiences to develop an effective and visible support programme. Specifically, the researcher used the descriptive phenomenological method to capture the experiences of nurses. Descriptive phenomenology was used because it allows the researcher to give a relevant and authentic description of the PNs’ phenomenological experiences.
This method has assisted the researcher to find relevance and correlation between the lived experiences of the nurses and how those experiences affect them. In the current study, the researcher received deeper and a wealth of knowledge from trained nurses who spend the majority of their hours with patients and experience many challenges on a daily basis. Moreover, the participants described their feelings and thoughts about their caring burden, which enabled the researcher to gain understanding. Furthermore, they were asked about the methods and mechanisms that they used to cope with the caring burden; and about support structures and programmes available to assist with their caring role. Ultimately, the feedback and responses from the PNs were employed in developing a suitable support programme for nurses.