Discovering lived experiences through descriptive phenomenology

Caroline Jackson · David Roger Vaughan · Lorraine Brown

92 citations0/0 files storedInternational Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management

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Phenomenology and Existential Philosophy Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics Philosophy and Phenomenology Studies

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to explore the reasons why descriptive phenomenology (DP) can provide an improved understanding of hospitality, tourism and event experiences. This is achieved through two objectives: first, by revealing the complexities and philosophical depths of DP; second, by providing a practical, stepped method that offers rigour and transparency. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based upon a study that explored the lived experience of the popular music festival-goer. It generally discusses the phenomenological philosophies of Husserl (1965 [1911]) and the descriptive phenomenological method in psychology of Giorgi (2009). It identifies not only some of the challenges and criticisms of DP but also the strengths of using a scientific approach to phenomenological research. Findings The philosophical strengths underlying DP afford a deeper understanding of the phenomenon being studied. The lived experience music festival study illustrates that the method of data collection and analysis highlights the intricacy of the philosophical debate and research findings. Although the bracketing, or epoché, method of DP has been criticised, the actual application is far more complex than trying to blank out prior knowledge. The aim is to ensure that it is the participants’ experiences that are used to identify the structure that is the phenomenon rather than the personal interpretation of the researcher. Originality/value It is recognised that researching the lifeworld affords a greater depth of understanding of experiences in people’s lives. One of the disappointments has been that one branch of phenomenological research, DP, has been underutilised and at times misunderstood in hospitality, tourism and event research. This paper aims to demonstrate and illustrate why and how DP should be considered in the future research of such experiences.

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References

1990Researching Lived Experience: Human Science for an Action Sensitive Pedagogy 1979A Phenomenology of Tourist Experiences 2010The descriptive phenomenological method in psychology: a modified Husserlian approach 2011Exploring the essence of memorable tourism experiences 2012The Descriptive Phenomenological Psychological Method 2009Debating Phenomenological Research Methods 2010An epistemological view of consumer experiences 2012Understanding the Differences between Husserl’s (Descriptive) and Heidegger’s (Interpretive) Phenomenological Research

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