Qualitative research methods used in psychology are not intended to compare but to observe and draw appropriate conclusions about the characteristics of human development and interaction. As Newman (2016) notes, one of the main advantages of this practice is an opportunity to prove specific hypotheses based on data obtained from primary sources, which helps avoid bias in the assessment process. One of the types of research design used in qualitative studies is phenomenology.
Gaete Celis (2019) describes this technique as an approach aimed at finding the meaning and causes of specific motives but not the consequences of actions. Also, the author argues that today, it is customary to distinguish two key types of phenomenology – descriptive (the disclosure of meaning) and interpretive (the disclosure of experience) (Gaete Celis, 2019). When talking about possible topics that such a technique can address, one can mention the manifestation of concerns in verbal communication or symbolization as a feature of a closed personality. These themes are of a deeper nature compared with standard studies on human behavior and require a phenomenological approach.
In case personal experience and reasoning are used as the basis of the study, the methods of data collection and processing are based solely on oral and written notes. Lundh (2018) describes psychology as a scientific field in which phenomenology is one of the manifestations of interacting with people and assessing their heritage. The qualitative principle of data collection and analysis is applied, for instance, a conversation with a person in order to find out the background of his or her experiences and opinions concerning a specific situation. Therefore, this research strategy is similar to those used in qualitative studies, and the interpretation of all the results of the work is individual due to different opinions and behavioral motives.
References
Gaete Celis, M. I. (2019). Micro-phenomenology and traditional qualitative research methods. Constructivist Foundations, 14(2), 146-149.
Lundh, L. G. (2018). Psychological science within a three-dimensional ontology. Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science, 52(1), 52-66.
Newman, M. (2016). Research methods in psychology (2nd ed.). San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education.