phenomenological approaches

Phenomenological approaches

I think that up to this point, after studying and reading about various qualitative approaches, I identify my research interests to situate themselves within the phenomenological approach continuum. I am using the term continuum for I am not sure yet on the specific type of phenomenology I would go with , if hermeneutic, or, existential. I am interested in exploring human experiences and translating that into meaning within consciousness, individual or/or collective. I am still at the beginning of my learning, and while I may make general assumptions, nevertheless, I strongly feel that I identify my research interests with this line of research; particularly, because it starts with the researcher’s self-reflexion to identify personal biases and preconceptions regarding the issue under research, before the inquiry would proceed to identifying the participants experiences and understandings ; this multi-folded view (self and of participants’) would unveil depth of meaning on a consciousness continuum- collective and/or individual.

I am going to read more on phenomenological inquiries; I will start with Heidegger and van Mannen- for I feel I need to understand the historical and philosophical direction that this type of inquiry has taken in time before I read what other scholars had to say on this method of inquiry.


I was born and educated in a different country than the US, and I would like to explore the experience of my counterparts-teachers, those born elsewhere and educted elsewhere than the US, and their experience as 'foreigners" or 'assimilated proffessionals" in the context of public education in the US. Also, because I work with/teach expats,or students of various native backgrounds and US documentation (legal, illegal, transient, migrant)I would like to explore their life experiences, and what they make of their learning/currerre in the US schools, and how they see possible, or manage to continue education beyond high school.