Phenomenology for primary care researchers
Primary care researchers often turn to qualitative methodologies to explore people’s perspectives and experiences. Phenomenology is appropriate when the focus is on lived experiences, rather than ideas, beliefs, opinions or perceptions. Phenomenology has its roots in German philosophy and the social...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
AOSIS
2025-05-01
|
| Series: | African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/4946 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849696685237731328 |
|---|---|
| author | Robert Mash Febisola Ajudua Sebaka Malope Doreen Kaura |
| author_facet | Robert Mash Febisola Ajudua Sebaka Malope Doreen Kaura |
| author_sort | Robert Mash |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Primary care researchers often turn to qualitative methodologies to explore people’s perspectives and experiences. Phenomenology is appropriate when the focus is on lived experiences, rather than ideas, beliefs, opinions or perceptions. Phenomenology has its roots in German philosophy and the social sciences, and doctoral students as well as researchers in the health sciences may struggle to understand the paradigm and apply it practically. This article attempts to make sense of the paradigm and two of its key threads, namely descriptive and interpretive phenomenology. The key principles of both approaches and the practical methodological steps are outlined. In addition, examples are given, and the two approaches are compared. Finally, the article discusses trustworthiness and quality criteria in phenomenology. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c4ec091224cc41ee83d04b1245c293dd |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2071-2928 2071-2936 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-c4ec091224cc41ee83d04b1245c293dd2025-08-20T03:19:23ZengAOSISAfrican Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine2071-29282071-29362025-05-01172e1e610.4102/phcfm.v17i2.49461260Phenomenology for primary care researchersRobert Mash0Febisola Ajudua1Sebaka Malope2Doreen Kaura3Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape TownDepartment of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nelson Mandela University, GqeberhaLesotho Boston Health Alliance, Leribe, Lesotho; and Ministry of Health, MaseruDepartment of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape TownPrimary care researchers often turn to qualitative methodologies to explore people’s perspectives and experiences. Phenomenology is appropriate when the focus is on lived experiences, rather than ideas, beliefs, opinions or perceptions. Phenomenology has its roots in German philosophy and the social sciences, and doctoral students as well as researchers in the health sciences may struggle to understand the paradigm and apply it practically. This article attempts to make sense of the paradigm and two of its key threads, namely descriptive and interpretive phenomenology. The key principles of both approaches and the practical methodological steps are outlined. In addition, examples are given, and the two approaches are compared. Finally, the article discusses trustworthiness and quality criteria in phenomenology.https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/4946primary caremethodologyphenomenologydescriptive phenomenologyinterpretive phenomenologyresearch methods. |
| spellingShingle | Robert Mash Febisola Ajudua Sebaka Malope Doreen Kaura Phenomenology for primary care researchers African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine primary care methodology phenomenology descriptive phenomenology interpretive phenomenology research methods. |
| title | Phenomenology for primary care researchers |
| title_full | Phenomenology for primary care researchers |
| title_fullStr | Phenomenology for primary care researchers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Phenomenology for primary care researchers |
| title_short | Phenomenology for primary care researchers |
| title_sort | phenomenology for primary care researchers |
| topic | primary care methodology phenomenology descriptive phenomenology interpretive phenomenology research methods. |
| url | https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/4946 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT robertmash phenomenologyforprimarycareresearchers AT febisolaajudua phenomenologyforprimarycareresearchers AT sebakamalope phenomenologyforprimarycareresearchers AT doreenkaura phenomenologyforprimarycareresearchers |