Phenomenologies as research methodologies for nursing: from philosophy to researching practice

Area of Science:

• Nursing Research
• Philosophy of Science
• Qualitative Methodologies

Background:

• Phenomenology is increasingly popular as a research methodology in nursing.
• Its philosophical roots present challenges when applied to a practice-based discipline.
• Existing literature reveals confusion surrounding various phenomenological types and interpretive methodologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the popularity and inherent tensions of using phenomenology in nursing research.
• To identify specific challenges in adapting philosophical phenomenology for pragmatic nursing research.
• To highlight the need for methodologies that capture aspects of nursing practice often silenced by other approaches.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of phenomenological philosophy and its application in nursing.
• Review of existing literature on phenomenological methodologies in nursing.
• Discussion of the integration of different intellectual and cultural traditions in interpretive research.

Main Results:

• Significant tensions exist in translating phenomenological philosophy into robust nursing research methods.
• Confusion surrounds the diverse types of phenomenology and their application alongside other interpretive approaches.
• Nursing requires methodological spaces that can articulate silenced aspects of practice.

Conclusions:

• While phenomenological approaches are currently favored in nursing, their methodological application requires careful consideration.
• Addressing the identified tensions is crucial for the rigorous and appropriate use of phenomenology in nursing scholarship.
• Further dialogue and clarification are needed to refine the methodological use of phenomenology in nursing research.