John Paley was formerly a senior lecturer at the University of Stirling, and is now a visiting fellow at Sheffield Hallam University, UK. He writes on topics related to philosophy and health care, including research methods, evidence, complexity, spirituality, the post-Francis debate about compassion, and nursing ethics.

"I think this book is a major milestone in the field of qualitative research… In his demolition of the claims made by a selection of phenomenologists… John Paley has pointed out the emperor’s lack of clothing and pushed him into the spotlight for all to see." - Roger Watson, University of Hull, Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Advanced Nursing"Engaging, incisive, forensic." - Alec Grant, University of Brighton, UK"The persuasive force and dogged logic of John Paley’s argument demands a response. Whether you agree or disagree with him, this book cannot be ignored. It will be required reading for any nurse contemplating undertaking a phenomenological study. Likewise, anyone commenting on phenomenology who does not engage with the arguments Paley advances has not meaningfully engaged with the subject. The influence of this book will ripple through nursing research and education for many years to come." - Martin Lipscomb, University of Worcester, UK"Paley’s book is a major contribution to nursing research, and social research more generally. It has the hallmarks of his work over the past 20 years and more: namely, formidable attention to scholarly detail, critical acumen and original thought." - Steven Edwards, Swansea University, UK

• 1. Introduction: The Undecided2. Meaning Attribution in Phenomenology3. Amedeo Giorgi: Jealousy4. Max van Manen: Being Left or Abandoned5. The Linguistics of Meaning6. Smith, Flowers, Larkin: The HIV Interview7. Meaning, Models and Mechanisms

John Paley was formerly a senior lecturer at the University of Stirling, and is now a visiting fellow at Sheffield Hallam University, UK. He writes on topics related to philosophy and health care, including research methods, evidence, complexity, spirituality, the post-Francis debate about compassion, and nursing ethics.

"I think this book is a major milestone in the field of qualitative research… In his demolition of the claims made by a selection of phenomenologists… John Paley has pointed out the emperor’s lack of clothing and pushed him into the spotlight for all to see." - Roger Watson, University of Hull, Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Advanced Nursing"Engaging, incisive, forensic." - Alec Grant, University of Brighton, UK"The persuasive force and dogged logic of John Paley’s argument demands a response. Whether you agree or disagree with him, this book cannot be ignored. It will be required reading for any nurse contemplating undertaking a phenomenological study. Likewise, anyone commenting on phenomenology who does not engage with the arguments Paley advances has not meaningfully engaged with the subject. The influence of this book will ripple through nursing research and education for many years to come." - Martin Lipscomb, University of Worcester, UK"Paley’s book is a major contribution to nursing research, and social research more generally. It has the hallmarks of his work over the past 20 years and more: namely, formidable attention to scholarly detail, critical acumen and original thought." - Steven Edwards, Swansea University, UK

• 1. Introduction: The Undecided2. Meaning Attribution in Phenomenology3. Amedeo Giorgi: Jealousy4. Max van Manen: Being Left or Abandoned5. The Linguistics of Meaning6. Smith, Flowers, Larkin: The HIV Interview7. Meaning, Models and Mechanisms