BerandaIntroduction
Phenomenology and hermeneutics are strains of interpretive epistemology, specializing in the examination of one’s social reality and subjective familiarity and acquaintance with a particular topic. From the interpretive epistemological perspective, knowledge is multifaceted in nature, establishing research methods that reveal the expressions of the participant’s social reality.
The interpretivist framework supports the principle of multiple realities that are ultimately constructed and modified by each individual. The two strains are analyzed in relation to the ontological, axiological, epistemological, and methodological assumptions to ascertain the key similarities, differences, challenges, and strengths that each may encompass within the realm of practice and research.
Ontological Assumptions
Edmund Husserl (1859-1938) is considered to be the father of phenomenology. He disparagingly considered the criticisms evident in the study of psychology as a science and purported that researchers should refrain from dismissing the importance of perception (Jones, 1975) and context associated to the interpretation of stimuli (as cited by Laverty, 2003). The ontological assumptions of phenomenology are contemplative in nature, espousing substantial significance in the examination of knowledge that has been experienced (Laverty, 2003). Husserlian terminology associates phenomenology with the goal of establishing the meaning associated to a particular phenomenon, revealing the correlation of this interpretation to life experiences (Wimpenny & Gass, 2000).
Martin Heidegger (1888-1976) worked with Husserl and developed modern hermeneutics asserting that reality is subjective and exclusively constructed (Annells, 1996). According to Kvale (1996), hermeneutics may be described as the examination of human cultural activity with emphasis on interpretation in the discovery of intentional or expressive meanings (as cited by Laverty, 2003). The ontological assumptions of hermeneutics consider the existential issues of philosophy in association to the communicative process (Annells, 1996). According to Osborne (1994), hermeneutics is phenomenological in nature due to the consequence of exposing information pertaining to phenomena (as cited by Annells, 1996).
Axiological Assumptions
The axiological assumptions of phenomenology embrace the subjectivity associated with research, epistemology, and the overall intentionality (Edie, 1987) to the perspective of the participant’s structures of conscious awareness (as cited by Laverty, 2003).
The axiological assumptions of hermeneutics consider the correlation between critical theory and practice. According to Packer (1985), the axiological assumptions of hermeneutics focuses on the role of understanding human behavior in relation to our own behavior and these decisions are derived in a practical manner based upon personal and cultural influences (Annells, 1996). Gadamerian hermeneutics posits that it is impractical and unfeasible to consider the elimination of one’s own concepts within the interpretation of meaning (Annells, 1996). The value associated in the research process encompasses the individualistic perspective of relativism, holding that realities subsist in relation to various mental concepts and they are originated from individualistic perceptions and experiences and influenced by one’s social, cultural, specific, and local aspects of life and experience (Annells, 1996).
According to the hermeneutic paradigm, the researcher is able to operate freely within the analysis, incorporating their own interpretation on the data collected as a guide to the discussion of the results and in the hopes of gaining insight to future understanding (Cole & Avison, 2007).
Epistemological Assumptions
The epistemological assumptions of phenomenology may be described as a movement with philosophical underpinnings that encompass the method of investigation and identification of phenomena (Spiegelberg & Schuhmann, 1994). This knowledge is reflective of an individual’s interpretation of events and considers the undeviating perspective of the world as experienced (Valle, et al., 1989) and discards the philosophy that the world is separate from the individual (as cited by Laverty, 2003).
In other words, the predominant element prevalent within the study of phenomenology incorporates the recognition, appreciation, and comprehension of worth associated to the human experience as lived. The phenomenological approach embraces the characteristics pertaining to knowledge itself in relation to existence, interpretation, and conceptualization.
The epistemological assumptions of hermeneutics lie in the process of discovering hidden meaning in the form of textual analysis; this analysis also considers the sociocultural and historic influences of inquiry. One of the fundamental elements associated to the epistemological assumptions of hermeneutics is the linguistics of understanding and obtaining knowledge and the significance that language holds in the process of understanding and operating in one’s world (Annells, 1996).
Methodological Assumptions
The research methods of phenomenology and hermeneutics are typically incorporated within qualitative analysis due to the fact that the primary objective is to examine the overall quality of human behavior. Methodology ultimately provides the philosophical framework for methods chosen. Phenomenologists choose to examine the world in an intersubjective manner to examine constructed meanings. Research methods tend to be methods of philosophy and include: conceptual analysis, linguistic analysis, hermeneutical practices and methods, historical-critical method, the literary philosophy, and formal logic (Wilson, 2002).
Phenomenology typically refrains from incorporating a hypothesis mode of research and is not grounded by theoretical perspectives either. The methods that are typically utilized in this type of research include: interviewing, observations, and documentary analysis (Wilson, 2002). According to Laverty (2003), phenomenological research methodologies tend to be descriptive, concentrating on the structure of experiences and the overall organization of principles that provide form and meaning to the life world.
The nature of hermeneutic research is interpretive, focusing on the historical meanings of experiences and their developmental influences on individuals (Laverty, 2003). The implementation of methodology requires the researchers to consider an insightful approach that is reflective, open minded, and responsive to language (Laverty, 2003). According to Maturana (1980) the primary goal of methodology in hermeneutics is to recognize that every act of research is actually an act of interpretation (Cole & Avison, 2007).
Similarities & Differences
Phenomenology and hermeneutic phenomenology are often utilized in a transposable manner; however, these two research methodologies maintain their distinctive characteristics (Laverty, 2003). Phenomenology is identified as a type of research that is derived from practical lived experiences. According to Heidegger (1960), hermeneutics ponders the correlation of language and understanding as an indissoluble characteristic of being in the world (as cited by Laverty, 2003).
There appears to be evident similarities in relation to the scope of research and data collection with emphasis placed on the importance and understanding of everyday living experiences; however, the overall stance of the researcher and data analysis are quite distinctive (Laverty, 2003). For example, hermeneutic researchers may keep a reflective journal to assist in the process of notating assumptions and interpretations that arise during the research analysis; however, phenomenologist’s bracket or set aside bias with the primary goal placed on the discovery or interpretation of texts that are not reliant upon the position of the interpreter (Laverty, 2003).
It should be noted that both phenomenology and hermeneutic researchers engage in a process of self reflection with the phenomenologist’s recognizing any bias assumptions to set them aside and the hermeneutic researcher incorporating their reflection to the contribution of experience being considered (Laverty, 2003).
Challenges & Strengths
The method of interviewing is prevalent throughout qualitative analysis but may be inconsistent in relation to appropriate data collection procedures (Wimpenney & Gass, 2000). A challenge associated to the hermeneutic perspective may arise from the level of bias that is incorporated into the overall research process. One may argue that it is merely prejudicial in nature to interject critical components of understanding a particular phenomenon into a study that is based on the judgment of a researcher including their personal experiences and expectations (Cole & Avison, 2007). Furthermore, the challenge associated to this philosophy centers on the premise that interpretation ultimately arises from our pre-understanding and contextual comprehension (Laverty, 2003).
One of the strengths of hermeneutics is established in the reflection of individual’s in relation to the world around us as each person assembles their own idiosyncratic interpretation (Munhall, 1989) through the development of constructs that are derived from one’s subjective background and personal experiences or transactions (as cited by Laverty, 2003). According to this perspective, all humans are subject to interpretation and analysis and this process of interpretation is vital as we strive to understand and identify the various influences of activity.
Another strength associated to the hermeneutic paradigm is relative in the study of psychology. Hermeneutics can be contributory in nature to the area of therapeutic services by placing importance in the conscious part of the mind and analyzing the psychological meanings or interpretation correlating to understanding relationships, meanings behind emotions and actions, motivations, and the intentions of others (Owen, n.d.).
Conclusion
The primary objective of interpretive methodology is to ascertain the concept of understanding associated to human experience and actions (Fossey, et al., 2002). Phenomenology is referenced as the study of phenomena while hermeneutics assesses the interpretation associated to overall comprehension.
The rationale behind phenomenological and hermeneutic research is attributed to the goal of understanding the social element associated to the development of individual constructs that are created based on individual experiences, interpretations of stimuli, socio-cultural influences, values, and social interactions.
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