title: Differentiating between descriptive and interpretive phenomenological research approaches.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide insight into how descriptive and interpretive phenomenological research approaches can guide nurse researchers during the generation and application of knowledge.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Phenomenology is a discipline that investigates people's experiences to reveal what lies 'hidden' in them. It has become a major philosophy and research method in the humanities, human sciences and arts. Phenomenology has transitioned from descriptive phenomenology, which emphasises the 'pure' description of people's experiences, to the 'interpretation' of such experiences, as in hermeneutic phenomenology. However, nurse researchers are still challenged by the epistemological and methodological tenets of these two methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data came from relevant online databases and research books.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of selected peer-reviewed research and discussion papers published between January 1990 and December 2013 was conducted using CINAHL, Science Direct, PubMed and Google Scholar databases. In addition, selected textbooks that addressed phenomenology as a philosophy and as a research methodology were used.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Evidence from the literature indicates that most studies following the 'descriptive approach' to research are used to illuminate poorly understood aspects of experiences. In contrast, the 'interpretive/hermeneutic approach' is used to examine contextual features of an experience in relation to other influences such as culture, gender, employment or wellbeing of people or groups experiencing the phenomenon. This allows investigators to arrive at a deeper understanding of the experience, so that caregivers can derive requisite knowledge needed to address such clients' needs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Novice nurse researchers should endeavour to understand phenomenology both as a philosophy and research method. This is vitally important because in-depth understanding of phenomenology ensures that the most appropriate method is chosen to implement a study and to generate knowledge for nursing practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This paper adds to the current debate on why it is important for nurse researchers to clearly understand phenomenology as a philosophy and research method before embarking on a study. The paper guides novice researchers on key methodological decisions they need to make when using descriptive or interpretive phenomenological research approaches.
authors.affiliation: Sultan Qaboos University College of Nursing, Muscat, Oman.
authors.forename: Gerald Amandu
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Matua
authors.affiliation: University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.
authors.forename: Dirk Mostert
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Van Der Wal
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000379:methods*; D017712:Peer Review, Research; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012107:Research Design
keywords: Nursing research; descriptive phenomenology; interpretive phenomenology; novice researchers; qualitative research; research methodology