Introduction to Phenomenology

The structural flow of the text makes perfect sense. Beginning with the basic underpinnings, it offers explanations of "why" different methods based on underpinnings exist. Examples help solidify these concepts, which are often overwhelming and unorganized. This text has them all in one place, explained concisely, and provides proper cause/format to compare/contrast to assist in understanding which methodology makes logical sense to use for answering your research question.

This book was clearly written by a seasoned researcher and expert teacher who understands the complexity of doing phenomenology with quality and rigor with the goal of understanding life experiences of people in a way to provide insight and promote understanding.

This textbook offers a rarely found introduction to a complex philosophy that is also used as a research methodology. It guides students, faculty, and readers into the complex form of research known as phenomenological inquiry in its various styles, and without disappointing the reader throughout. It uses simple language to explain a complex style of human science research. This is a must read for all those who are new to phenomenology, and is especially useful to novice researchers who need to develop a phenomenological research study.


It addresses a genuine need in qualitative research literature, especially if the author can write clearly about these complex ideas for students and researchers to truly understand what empirical phenomenology is about. Having useful, purposeful examples is a key asset as well.

...this book contributes uniquely to emphasizing the methods and procedures of phenomenological research, and this is an obvious passion and goal of the author.

There are many strengths of this book, including organizing key authors by descriptive or interpretive phenomenology. Focusing more on analysis, and use of examples for analysis. Explaining how philosophy impacts methods sounds promising. I love the last two chapters: phenomenology proposals, and getting published! I feel this would help me as a faculty member!

Cheryl Tatano Beck, DNSc, CNM, FAAN is a distinguished professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Connecticut. Her program of research is focused on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. She has developed the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS) from her series of qualitative studies on postpartum depression. She also has developed a theory of traumatic childbirth, called the Ever Widening Ripple Effect. This midrange theory is based on her series of qualitative studies on traumatic childbirth and its resulting PTSD. She serves on the editorial board of Global Qualitative Nursing Research, Journal of Perinatal Education and Advances in Nursing Science. She has written:

• Beck, C. T. (2016). Developing a Program of Research in Nursing. New York: Springer Publishing Company.
• Long, T. & Beck CT (2017). Writing in nursing: A brief guide. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Beck, C. T., Driscoll, J. W., & Watson, S. (2013). Traumatic childbirth. New York: Routledge.
• Beck, C.T. (Ed.) (2013). Routledge International Handbook of Qualitative Nursing Research. New York: Routledge.
• Beck, C.T. & Driscoll, J.W. (2006). Postpartum mood and anxiety disorders: A clinicians guide. Sudbury, Ma.: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
• Polit, D. F., & Beck, C.T. (2018). Essentials of Nursing Research: Appraising Evidence for Nursing Practice. (9th Ed). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams, & Wilkins.
• Polit, D. F., & Beck, C.T. (2017). Nursing Research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (10th Ed). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

1. Introduction Part 1. Philosophical Underpinnings of the Methodology 2. Philosophy of Phenomenology as the Basis for Methodology Edmund Husserl Martin Heidegger Maurice Merleau-Ponty Hans-Georg Gadamer Part 2. Descriptive Phenomenology 3. Paul Colaizzi's Descriptive Phenomenological Methodology Research Question Sample Data Collection Data Analysis The Lived Experience of Postpartum Depression Examples of Research from Various Disciplines 4. Amedeo Giorgi's Descriptive Phenomenological Methodology Research Question Sample Data Collection Data Analysis Examples of Studies Using Giorgi's Methodology 5. Adrian van Kaam's Descriptive Phenomenological Methodology & Clark Moustakas's Modification Research Question Sample Data Collection Data Analysis Example of a Study from My Program of Research Additional Examples of Studies using van Kaam's Approach Clark Moustakas's Modification of van Kaam's Approach Examples of Clark Moustakas's Modification Comparison of van Kaam's Methodology and Moustakas's Modification 6. Karin Dahlberg's Descriptive Reflective Lifeworld Methodology Introduction to the Reflective Lifeworld Methodology Descriptive Phenomenological Reflective Lifeworld Approach Comparison of Five Descriptive Phenomenological Methodologies Choosing One of the Descriptive Phenomenological Methodologies Part 3. Interpretive Phenomenology 7. Max van Manen's Hermeneutic Phenomenological Approach Research Question Sample Data Collection Data Analysis Examples of International Research from Various Disciplines 8. Patricia Benner's Interpretive Phenomenological Methodology Sample Data Analysis International Examples of Studies using Benner's Methodology 9. Jonathan Smith's Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) Research Question Sample Data Collection Data Analysis International Examples of IPA Research from Various Disciplines 10. Karin Dahlberg's Hermeneutic Reflective Lifeworld Methodology Hermeneutic Reflective Lifeworld Methodology Comparison of Four Interpretive Phenomenological Methodologies Choosing One of the Interpretive Phenomenological Methodologies Part 4. Evaluating, Writing, and Teaching Phenomenology 11. Trustworthiness of Phenomenological Studies Trustworthiness vs. Reliability and Validity Strategies to Enhance Quality Criteria for Evaluating Phenomenological Research Criteria for Evaluating Qualitative Research in General Student Exercise for Evaluating a Phenomenological Study 12. Phenomenological Writing Strategies Figures Qualitative Reporting Checklists 13. Developing a Program of Research Using Phenomenology 14. Teaching Phenomenology: Preparing Our Next Generation of Researchers Other Faculty's Teaching Strategies My Teaching Strategies Phenomenological Tips Glossary Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Appendix D