A Phenomenological Paradigm for Empirical Research in Psychiatry and Psychology: Open Questions
Frontiers in Psychology June 25, 2020 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01399 via OpenAlex
Summary
Phenomenology in psychiatry and psychology is best suited to qualitative research, particularly through phenomenological interviews. This article clarifies what makes an interview phenomenological, why such interviews are conducted with patients, and how they should be performed and analyzed. It argues that merely testing phenomenological hypotheses or concepts does not do justice to patients' involvement. The article also points to the broader scientific paradigm of phenomenology, which holds that reality is mind-dependent, and suggests future directions for research.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Phenomenology philosophy Interpretative phenomenological analysis Empirical research Empirical psychology Phenomenological method |
| Citations | 20 |
| Key finding | Phenomenological interviews in psychiatry and psychology require a qualitative approach that prioritizes patients' lived experiences over mere hypothesis testing. |
Abstract
This article seeks to clarify the way in which phenomenology is conceptualized and applied in empirical research in psychiatry and psychology, emphasizing the suitability of qualitative research. It will address the "What," "Why," and "How" of phenomenological interviews, providing not only preliminary answers but also a critical analysis and pointing to future directions for research. The questions it asks are: First, what makes an interview phenomenological? What are phenomenological interviews used for in empirical research in psychiatry and psychology? Second, why do we carry out phenomenological interviews with patients? Is merely contrasting phenomenological hypotheses or concepts enough to do justice to the patients' involvement? Third, how should we conduct phenomenological interviews with patients? How can we properly perform analysis in empirical phenomenological research in psychiatry and psychology? In its conclusion, the article attempts to go a step beyond these methodological questions, highlighting the "bigger picture": namely, the phenomenological scientific paradigm and its core philosophical claim of reality as mind-dependent.