Abstract
In this article I propose a method of interviewing for descriptive phenomenological research that offers an explicit, theoretically based approach for researchers. My approach enables application of descriptive phenomenology as a total method for research, and not one just focused on data analysis. This structured phenomenological approach to interviewing applies questions based on themes of experience contextualization, apprehending the phenomenon and its clarification. The method of questioning employs descriptive and structural questioning as well as novel use of imaginative variation to explore experience. The approach will help researchers understand how to undertake descriptive phenomenological research interviews.
In this article I outline a guided approach to phenomenological interviewing. My approach was developed out of an understanding of phenomenological method applied to qualitative interviewing. From the outset I drew on the phenomenology of Husserl’s (1970) descriptive perspective, and am not intending to replace current methods but provide an alternative for phenomenological researchers. To begin, I introduce some important fundamental concepts of phenomenology essential to my interview approach. This is followed by a brief review of sources of phenomenological interviewing approaches, which leads to an explanation of my proposed interview guide. To demonstrate its use, examples are drawn from my study of patients’ and nurses’ experiences of hemodialysis satellite units (Bevan, 2007).
Conclusion
The approach to phenomenological interviewing outlined in this article is built on the phenomenological theory of Husserl (1970). Its focus is one of accurately describing and thematizing experience in a systematic way. It uses themes of contextualizing experience, apprehending the phenomenon, and clarification of the phenomenon. Questioning requires the use of descriptive and structural questions along with the novel use of imaginative variation for descriptive adequacy. Phenomenology is complex and its research approach has much variety, which unfortunately allows for obfuscation and methodological criticism. My proposed interview structure offers an explicit, theoretically based approach for researchers. It enables application of phenomenology as a total method for research, which in turn adds to clarity and is not focused only on data analysis. This method blends general qualitative interview techniques and phenomenological methods to provide an alternative approach to phenomenological interviewing. Its aim is to provide an explicitly phenomenological influence to interviewing.
