Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Many nurse researchers, especially novices, encounter challenges and obstacles in their search for the method of inquiry that can best answer their research question. since most nurses wish to gain an understanding of the human lived experience of particular individuals through first-person narrative, they elect to work with a phenomenological research methodology. Phenomenological designs and methodologies are qualitative models that guide human science research (Moustakas 1994). They attempt to establish what a certain phenomenon means and how it is experienced. Qualitative researchers, and by extension phenomenological researchers, have a different world view, paradigm and research tradition from their natural science quantitative colleagues (Creswell 2007). a phenomenological approach, which seeks to unveil the description, meaning and essence of the experience, is the opposite to a quantitative, scientific (positivist) research perspective, which uses statistical analysis. Choosing a phenomenological approach can seem daunting to some individuals because of the associated methodological strengths, limitations, underlying philosophical assumptions and the dedication required by researchers to work out how to apply specific methods and processes to make sure that their study is valid. To overcome some of these issues, the themed papers address the use of Heideggerian hermeneutics, Moustaskass heurism and methodological rigour in research. each author seeks to involve the reader in what phenomenology, as a research methodology, is and is not. The papers focus on holism, culture, behaviour and the uniqueness and understanding of the humanistic, subjective, everyday lived experiences of others. They view experience and behaviour as an integrated and inseparable relationship of subject and object and of parts and whole, and note the importance of
formulating questions and problems that reflect the researchers interest, involvement and commitment. Two authors agree that phenomenology is neither particular nor universal in advancing nursing knowledge and practice. The three authors, who are all nurses, have engaged widely with the relevant research literature as demonstrated by generally appropriate referencing, processes and debate. This has important implications. First, if the methodologies, methods, design and philosophical assumptions appropriate to the given approach are detailed correctly, they provide valuable learning material for others, especially novice researchers whom two of the papers target. second, by addressing methodological and experiential issues (plausibility of findings), a reciprocal relationship is formed, adding rigour to a study. Validity of a study is judged by rigorous and accurate findings.
Human sciences
Pratt (2012) debates the utility of human sciences in nursing on the basis that nursing research is still influenced by the scientific perspective and that use of a qualitative perspective is considered to be inferior by quantitative research proponents. This idea is contestable since phenomenology has, over the past decade, become increasingly popular as a research methodology. The author then offers Heideggerian hermeneutics as a methodology to develop and advance nursing knowledge through human lived experience. Targeting nurse researchers, Pratt (2012) also draws on the strengths and limitations associated with phenomenology, stating that such methodology does not aim to solve the problem of the research question posed. The author may mean that phenomenology seeks to unveil the lived experience of the individual under study, for example, the one who has experienced the phenomenon of interest.
RCN PUBLISHING / NURSE RESEARCHER
17/04/2012 14:42
Commentary
Pratt (2012) views the phenomenological perspective as being of great value in nursing research and practice because it enables researchers to understand the life experiences of others in relation to health and quality of life. This is a correct assumption, as is Pratts (2012) statement that to understand the philosophical and methodological underpinnings of a research approach takes time, effort, commitment and total immersion on the part of the researcher. Pratt (2012) further describes Heidegger (1962) as spurring the evolution of the interpretive perspective in that the research findings are co-created by the researcher and the participants. This issue is important in that the intersubjective reality and the autobiographical accounts keep the phenomenon alive and illuminating, enabling the researcher to present a description of the phenomenon in accurate and vivid terms. The description is based on understanding the context of the participants existing world. and more towards the researcher becoming sensitive to how it can be used to create movement and illuminate pattern. Kenny implies that the heuristic approach acknowledges the involvement of the researcher (that it is autobiographic) to the extent that the researchers lived experience becomes the main focus of the research. so the explicit focus of the approach is the transformative effect of the inquiry on the researchers own experience. It draws on researchers personal qualities, and their tacit knowing and intuition as guides in aiding a deeper understanding of the personal experience being investigated.
Moustakass heurism
Kenny (2012) identifies two core processes that underlie Moustakass heuristic, self-dialogue, self-discovery, approach tacit knowledge and intuition. The author briefly discusses the approachs methodological structure of six phases, its relationship to the research process and post-modern challenges in its usage. Two other core processes focusing and indwelling are stated to facilitate rigour in a study. The remaining two core processes (such as identifying with the focus of the inquiry through self-dialogue and an internal frame of reference) are also introduced. Kenny debates the contribution that this approach can make to nursing knowledge and inquiry. Indeed, the use of tacit knowledge and intuition is evidenced in health and social care practice and these are important issues for further consideration by nurses in their practice. Credibly, Kenny has undertaken an extensive literature review, but the papers scope is too broad. Kennys (2012) description and application of this methodologys processes and phases are somewhat confused. However, the author, acknowledging that heuristics is not widely used by nurse researchers, demonstrates passion for Moustakass heurism, seeking to support its timeless execution. He attempts to achieve this by acknowledging the researchers sensitive movement between his or her modern and post-modern internal and external world by the use of an eclectic range of sources. The author further states, correctly, that the attention is less on interpretation of the literature
RCN PublishiNg / NuRsE REsEARChER
Online archive
For related information, visit our online archive of more than 6,000 articles and search using the keywords
17/04/2012 14:42
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.