In this presentation we will be discussing one approach to qualitative research rooted in the philosophy of phenomenology ...

1. Counselling Research
Phenomenological Research
FdA and BA (Hons) Counselling with
Brief Interventions

2. Aims
1. Phenomenology in counselling
2. Phenomenology as a research method
3. Data analysis using the phenomenological
approach: procedure
4. Conclusions

3. Phenomenology
The way we experience the world determines how we
respond and is based on our own unique mixture of
needs, history and expectations
Each of us lives in our own subjective world, which
cannot be fully and completely understood by anyone
else
Tony Merry (2002)

4. Phenomenology in Counselling
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Frames of Reference
Bracketing
Equalisation
Description

6. Phenomenological Research
As in counselling this is an attempt to
understand the structure of lived experience
rather than explain it

8. Research Methods
Phenomenological research is qualitative
research requiring the researcher to collect
‘verbal or written protocols describing the
experience’ (McLeod: 2011: 89).
This can be done with open ended
questionnaires, journals, interviews,
observations, etc

10. Data Analysis
1. Collect verbal or written protocols
2. Read them through carefully to get a sense of
the whole
3. Extract significant statements or ‘units of
meaning’
4. Eliminate irrelevant repetition
5. Identify the central themes or meanings implicit
in these statements
6. Integrate these meanings into a single
‘exhaustive description of the phenomenon’.

12. Conclusions
• Phenomenological research is an attempt by
the researcher to …
• describe the subjective experience of
participants …
• by following a procedure in which …
• units of meaning are identified …
• and common themes integrated into an
‘exhaustive description of the phenomenon’.