25-8 Phenomenological Methodology as an Existential Move

This article aims at examining phenomenological method as an alternative methodology for psychological study. Considering the phenomenological method from the researcher’s point of view, this article argues that phenomenological methodology is an existential move. We discuss Husserl’s phenomenology as well as Giorgi’s empirical methodology. We also propose that phenomenological method that uses descriptions of experiences as its target of analysis, is not only conducting the reduction and description of experienced objects, but also disclosing the situational structure of existential contexts. The steps of carrying out phenomenological analysis are presented and modified, with the help of an example from learning experience. This article aims to go beyond reviewing existing papers and proposing a new existential horizon, and to enhance our own understanding of research action. The issues concerning the criteria of phenomenological analysis are also discussed.

Keywords
existential psychology, phenomenological method, phenomenological psychology, qualitative research.

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