How to Write a Phenomenological Dissertation: A Step-by-Step Guide / Edition 1

by Katarzyna Peoples

Overview

Conducting phenomenological research for dissertations can be an involved and challenging process, and writing it up is often the most challenging part. H ow to Write a Phenomenological Dissertation gives students practical, applied advice on how to structure and develop each chapter of the dissertation specifically for phenomenological research.

Phenomenology is about personal experience and personal experience varies from researcher to researcher. However, this variation is a big source of confusion for new researchers in the social, behavioral, or health sciences. This brief text is written in a simple, step-by-step fashion to account for this flexibility and variation while also providing structure necessary for a successful dissertation. Broken up into chapters that follow each chapter of the dissertation, this text logically breaks down the various parts of phenomenological research, starting with ensuring phenomenology is the right method for your research, writing the literature review, going through methods and results sections to analysis and discussion. The author, using experience gleaned from supervising phenomenological dissertations for many years, gives time-tested advice on how structure the dissertation to fit into more common frameworks, using checklists and tables throughout. Each chapter includes a list of helpful resources for students to use alongside this book with specific information on methods and research. Unique to this text is a chapter on creating your own phenomenological method which allows students to expand their viewpoints and experiment in future studies after the dissertation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781544328362
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	03/10/2020
Series:	Qualitative Research Methods , #56
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	192
Sales rank:	446,979
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 5.30(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Dr. Peoples studied Existential Psychology at Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA) and earned both her Bachelor’s and her Master’s in Psychology at Duquesne University before moving over to earn her Doctorate in Counseling Psychology at Duquesne University. She started working in the addictions field in 1999 and shortly after started relationship and marriage counseling simultaneously. Dr. Peoples currently works as a core faculty member in the Counselor Education and Supervision Doctoral program at Walden University. She has written books, book chapters, and journal articles on numerous topics related to counseling, teaching, and philosophy. Dr. Peoples also has an online marriage counseling and coaching practice where she offers virtual counseling.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
About the Author
Part I: Before the Dissertation
Chapter 1: How to Begin
What Is Phenomenological Research?
Purpose of This Book
Organization of This Book
Literature Review
Theoretical Framework
References
Part II: Writing the Dissertation
Chapter 2: Introduction and Literature Review
Beginning the Literature Review: What’s Your Topic?
Literature Search Strategy
Create an Outline
Writing the First Dissertation Chapter: The Introduction
Problem Statement
Purpose Statement
Research Questions
Theoretical Framework
Definitions
Assumptions
Delimitations and Limitations
Summary Sections
Completing the Literature Review
References and Suggested Reading
Chapter 3: Methodology
Introduction
Design and Rationale
Researcher Role
Participants
Instrumentation
Procedures
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Using Software
Validity and Reliability
Ethics
Summary
Write the Abstract
References and Resources
Chapter 4: Results
Introduction
Setting
Participant Demographics
Data Collection
Findings
Connecting to the Theoretical Framework
Validity and Reliability
Going Back to Chapter 3
Summary
Appendices
References and Resources
Chapter 5: Discussion
Introduction
Interpretation of Findings: A Dialogue with the Literature
Including Theory Throughout
Limitations
Recommendations for Future Research
Implications
Conclusion
Update the Abstract
Example of Abstract
References and Resources
Part III: After your Dissertation
Chapter 6: Other Phenomenological Methods
Existential Phenomenology
Critical Narrative Analysis (Langdridge)
Dialogal Approach (Halling, Leifer, & Rowe)
Dallas Approach (Garza)
Embodied Life-World Approach (Todres)
Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (Smith, Flowers, & Larkin)
Life-World Approach (Ashworth)
Lived Experience Human Science Inquiry (van Manen)
Reflective Life-World Approach (Dahlberg)
References
Chapter 7: Creating Your Own Phenomenological Method
Giorgi’s Five Basic Steps
van Manen’s Four Reflections
Results
Participant Demographics
General Description
Reflection
References and Resources
Appendix A: Recruitment Flyer
Appendix B: Screening
Appendix C: Semi-Structured Interview Guide
Appendix D: Consent to Participate
Appendix E: Sample Dissertation Literature Review
Index

Editorial Reviews

It seems to make writing a phenomenological study more accessible by offering pathways to students.

Dr. Akin Taiwo

The key strengths are the attempt to provide a systematic understanding of the process from A to Z with a specific focus on phenomenology. This text will be useful and versatile for student locked in to phenomenology.

Raymond Blanton

It is well-informed, driven by experience and authoritatively written and yet leaves room for others to write their own. It is quite a feat.

Maurice Apprey

Overall, I feel this is possibly the best work I have seen on this type of a dissertation. It is clear and concise as well as complete in mechanics.

Michael E. Cox

It is well-informed, driven by experience and authoritatively written and yet leaves room for others to write their own. It is quite a feat.
--Maurice Apprey

It seems to make writing a phenomenological study more accessible by offering pathways to students.
--Dr. Akin Taiwo

Overall, I feel this is possibly the best work I have seen on this type of a dissertation. It is clear and concise as well as complete in mechanics.
--Michael E. Cox

The key strengths are the attempt to provide a systematic understanding of the process from A to Z with a specific focus on phenomenology. This text will be useful and versatile for student locked in to phenomenology.
--Raymond Blanton

While this book conforms with others in the domain of phenomenological research is it superior in many respects; chiefly the author′s sound knowledge transfer of philosophy to methods; the fit between conceptual basic assumptions and object of research study; and clarity without sacrificing complexity.--Maurice Apprey

From the Publisher