Introduction
There is a wide range of methodologies that can be applied to different studies. Nevertheless, one of the best options to realize the numerous factors that underlie a social issue is the utilization of phenomenology. The approach implies an attempt to deal with all the inner experiences unprobed in everyday life. Therefore, such a method may prove to be the most efficient, as it provides a holistic approach to the problem and raises issues that may not be vivid under usual circumstances. A review of three dissertations that apply the phenomenological approach can prove the importance of the method, especially in Social Sciences.
Phenomena
It is crucial to realize that phenomenology is a qualitative research approach. Therefore, a proper understanding of philosophical concepts underpinning the issue is required in order to fully realize all the author’s implications. Human experiences are central to the successful implementation of a framework that relies on phenomenology. Therefore, the author is to possess a certain degree of expertise when it comes to evaluating the meaning of various experiences for a limited number of certain issues. The three phenomenological studies that are reviewed and compared in this work include a study on parenting children with autism, a study on leaders’ perceptions in local governments, and a study on experiences concerning university presidency.
The above mentioned studies have numerous similarities, primarily due to the methodology choice. One of the features they share is the highlighted importance of experiences throughout the works. Moreover, the authors empathize that it is essential to draw from first-hand experiences of the people who came through hardships. What is more important, such experiences and expertise should be transmitted to other people dealing with similar problems in the most efficient and precise way.
All three phenomenological studies rely on qualitative data and a wide range of tools that phenomenology provides with the aim of processing the information. All three studies deal with social issues that are centered around efficient communication between various groups of people. Moreover, all three studies emphasize the importance of responsibility and willingness to put the effort in order to enhance social impact. The issue of leadership is extensively covered in the studies on university presidents and local governments. Moreover, these studies share the perception of a leader by implying that he/she should be ready to take responsibility for numerous issues that may not be directly under control.
Philosophical Reflections
Social anxiety highlighted in the study on parenting children with autism plays an essential role in the issues covered by two other studies. Nevertheless, given the seriousness of the problem, frustration and exhaustion are among the central feelings analyzed in the study on parenting. The author seeks to investigate the altered perception of various social phenomena when caring for a child with autism. Moreover, parents rapidly begin to learn a new way of enjoying different aspects of life that are related to caring and providing support to their children (Barrow, 2017). After analyzing the collected qualitative data, the author concludes that having to come through various hardships on an everyday basis enhances the relationships within the family.
Despite another emphasis, the philosophical ideas and implications developed in two other studies do not differ significantly. The study on leaders in local government relies on a set of qualitative data on success factors that helped those people make an impact and motivate colleagues (Williams, 2015). Compassion and the ability to understand other people’s feelings turned out to be central to leaders’ success. Moreover, approaches and types of leadership that empathize those qualities are rapidly becoming popular on different levels.
Due to the high efficiency of phenomenology and qualitative approach in a number of spheres in social studies, the findings of the study on university presidency also include the notion of the importance of the abovementioned leader’s qualities. Numerous respondents outlined that the leader should be compassionate, encouraging, and visionary.
Data Collection
The qualitative data in all three studies was collected via unstructured and semi-structured interviews. Such an approach provides the best result, as it allows respondents to independently cover the issues and the aspects that they find truly important. Schuemann (2014) analyzed 291 statements as significant to the study and organized them into 12 coded clusters: Approachability, Leadership, Visibility, Empowerment, Pride, Informed, Recognition, Involved, Interaction, Care, Home, and Other. This structure helped the author to identify the most critical factors. The study on parenting also applied the analysis of photographic images.
Findings
The study on parenting emphasizes the importance of recognizing early markers and providing special care during the early stages. The research on leaders in local government suggests that entirely new reward frameworks should be introduced in order to keep public service workers motivated. The study on university presidency provides a wide range of perspectives on how to enhance leadership and organizational cooperation. The author concludes by stating that students demonstrate value experiencing informal presidential encounters.
Conclusion
Phenomenology has proven to be a highly efficient approach in modern studies, as it seeks to realize not solely the laws of nature but people’s perceptions of certain phenomena. Thus, it allows for an enhanced understanding of the most efficient strategies that should be utilized in order to improve the experiences of other people. Moreover, the thorough analysis that implied comparison of qualitative data resulted in precise findings and strategies in all three studies reviewed in this work.
References
Barrow, D. M. (2017). A phenomenological study of the lived experiences of parents of young children with autism receiving special education services (Publication No. 4035) [Doctoral dissertation, Portland State University]. PDXScholar.
Schuemann, K. B. (2014). A phenomenological study into how students experience and understand the university presidency (Publication No. 261) [Doctoral dissertation, Western Michigan University]. ScholarWorks at WMU.
Williams, J. E. (2015). A phenomenological study of leaders’ perceptions and experiences in local government (Publication No. 1634) [Doctoral Dissertation, Walden University]. Walden University ScholarWorks.