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Van Kaam's phenomenology: theoretical-methodological contributions to nursing research
Florinda Laura Ferreira Rodrigues Galinha-de-Sá1, Maria Antónia Miranda Rebelo Botelho Alfaro Velez2
1Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Lisboa (ESEL), Centro de Investigação, Inovação e Desenvolvimento em Enfermagem de Lisboa. Lisboa, Portugal.
Objective:
To discuss the theoretical-methodological contribution of van Kaam's phenomenology to nursing research.
Methods:
Theoretical reflection based on scientific literature.
Results And Discussion:
Intentionality emerges as a central concept and the 7 steps of the van Kaam's method modified by Moustakas were developed: horizontalization; reduction and elimination; categorization and thematization of invariant constituents; application and validation; construction of the individual textural description; construction of the individual structural description; and composite description.
Final Considerations:
van Kaam's theoretical-methodological framework allows a different look at the phenomenon, since the knowledge produced comes from the textural and structural essence of the lived experience, in a composite description, considering its different perceptive dimensions.
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