Standing outside the interview process? The illusion of objectivity in phenomenological data generation.
This paper challenges the idea of researcher objectivity as a necessary feature of phenomenological interviewing by contrasting the philosophies of Husserl and Heidegger in relation to the way they influence the interview process, the generation of data and the role of the researcher in the interview. The discussion demonstrates how a failure to distinguish between Husserlian transcendental phenomenology and Heideggerian hermeneutic phenomenology results in methodological confusion. The interviewing process is analysed with regard to researchers' preconceptions, interviewer bias, the pursuit of objectivity and the relevance of subjectivity in phenomenological research. Quality indicators, such as adequacy of description and the elucidation of researchers' preconceptions, are discussed and illustrated with examples from the authors' doctoral studies.
Lowes
L
L
Department of Child Health, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff CF4 4XN, UK. lowes@ukgateway.net
Prowse
M A
MA
D015982:Bias; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D015588:Observer Variation; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards*; D012108:Research Personnel / Q000523:psychology*