Empirical phenomenology: principles and method

Judith A. Sixsmith, Andrew J. Sixsmith

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    5 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    It is argued that phenomenological and empirical approaches to research are not antithetical. As long as its central principles are maintained, phenomenological enquiry could benefit from a more rigorous empirical framework. There are two objectives behind this paper. The first aim is to define the minimum methodological requirements of an "empirical phenomenology" for social sciences. This involves finding a common ground between phenomenological research on the one hand, and more empirical, "mainstream" social science on the other. The second aim is to define a suitable methodological tool that will fulfil the prerequisites of an empirical phenomenology. The Multiple Sorting Task (MST) is seen as appropriate in this respect and a description of the principles and procedure of the MST is provided. Examples from the authors' own research are used to illustrate how the MST operates within an empirical-phenomenological research design.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)313-333
    Number of pages21
    JournalQuality and Quantity
    Volume21
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Sept 1987

    Keywords

    • Social Science
    • Research Design
    • Common Ground
    • Empirical Approach
    • Methodological Tool

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Statistics and Probability
    • General Social Sciences

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