Some Hermeneutic Phenomenology and a Little Poststructuralism

After reading Moerer-Urdahl and Creswell (2004), I read an article in their bibliography by Laverty (2003).  In this Laverty gives a great overview of the history of transcendental and hermeneutic phenomenology, though she refers to transcendental phenomenology as just phenomenology.  I wish I had read this article first.

Laverty (2003) identified Husserl as the origin of phenomenology.  Husserl believed one could bracket out his or her pre-understanding of a phenomenon, thus more closely approaching a method bearing some kinship to positivism. Yet, Heidegger and later Gadamer considered this nonsense, believing that one can never separate himself or herself from lived experience.  They rather promoted the researcher and the participants “[working] together to bring life to the experience being explored, through the use of imagination, the hermeneutic circle and attention to language and writing” (Laverty, p. 21).  As such, hermeneutic phenomenology seems to embrace the inclusion of theoretical lenses. 

Ultimately, I now recognize I perhaps philosophically prefer hermeneutic phenomenology, but it is difficult to let go of the step by step procedures of Moustakas (1994) and Moerer-Urdahl and Creswell (2004).  However, I will revisit another article I read earlier this semester which illustrated its authors’ steps of using the hermeneutic circle.  Also, I have begun reading Van Manen’s book, or at least the chapter on reflection, and I have thus far read of three approaches to coding.

As for postructuralism and structuralism, I found some clarification tonight in reading an additional chapter of Grbich (2013). That is, I finally think I got a clearer sense of the distinction between structuralism and poststructuralism. I did not understand what was meant in the previous chapter about Derrida believing meaning was deferred; however one statement now clarifies that.  It is written of postructuralism that “meaning is seen as more complex, deferring endlessly to many possibilities which are only limited by the imagination of the writer and the reader” (p. 187).  This is illustrated quite nicely with various interpretations of “Jack and Jill.” By conrast I gather structuralism would have there is only one truth as to what the rhyme means.   

Grbich, C. (2013). Qualitative data analysis: An introduction (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Laverty, S. M. (2003). Hermeneutic phenomenology and phenomenology: A comparison of historical and methodological considerations. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 2(3), 1-29.

Moerer-Urdahl, T. & Creswell, J. W. (2004). Using transcendental phenomenology to explore the “Ripple Effect” in a leadership mentoring program. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 3(2), 19-35.

Moustakas, C. (1994). Phenomenological research methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Van Manen, M. (1990). Researching lived experience: Human science for an action sensitive pedagogy. London, Ontario, Canada: The State University of New York Press.