Phenomenology

This chapter provides an insight into the origins and traditions of phenomenology as both philosophy and methodology. Emphasis is placed in the earlier parts of the chapter on the delineation between Husserl and Heidegger, the forefathers of the discipline, whose work into epistemology and ontology have fundamentally shaped contemporary qualitative research. Understanding the key concepts of epoché and the implications of the ‘self' within phenomenological research are explicated so that the reader can consider the practicalities of whether it is possible to suspend presupposition and epistemic bias, or whether the ‘self' is something that has simply to be acknowledged as having a fundamental relevance to what and how interpretation is undertaken and how this has a consequent and tangible impact on research findings. The latter part of the chapter gives an insight into interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) as one contemporary approach to the integration of phenomenological research methods.

The Difficulties the Caregivers of Cancer Patients Experience in the Covid-19 Pandemic

Purpose This is a qualitative study using interpretive phenomenological analysis to determine the difficulties experienced by caregivers of cancer patients during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods Fourteen cancer patients were interviewed between 20 December 2020 and 20 January 2021 using maximum diversity sampling. The data were collected using semi-structured interview forms, one-on-one interviews, and online interview technique. Results The experiences of caregivers of cancer patients regarding the Covid 19 pandemic were presented under four themes, namely emotional problems, economic problems, neglect of health, and behavioural responses associated with Covid 19”. Conclusions It was found that caregivers of cancer patients were emotionally affected, faced economic difficulties, neglected their own health, and developed behavioural responses to the risk of Covid-19 during the pandemic.

Connecting with Deities: The Practice of Spirit Mediumship among the Chinese in Kuantan, Pahang

The belief towards the spirit medium is one of the oldest beliefs in Chinese folk religion. This research explored spirit mediumship practices among the Chinese in Kuantan, Pahang, and interviewed 10 spirit mediums by applying interpretive phenomenological analysis. The findings indicate that the ability to interact with deities is either due to unavoidable illness, hereditary, naturally acquired, or learned. Indeed, a spirit medium may or may not convey messages to the audience or the deities from ritual performances. However, the ritual had revealed an “indispensable and official” status among mediums and worshippers. Although some expectations of this practice have faded due to modernity, it is still popular among the Chinese, especially in bonding the Chinese together as one community.

Para Sport Development Experiences: Perspectives of Para Swimmers and Parents

This study examined para swimmers’ athlete development experiences from the perspectives and reflections of athletes, and parents of athletes, with a focus on the constraints and challenges experienced. Guided by interpretive phenomenological analysis, 12 participants engaged in the interview process (seven parents and five athletes). Five themes were identified: fundamental skill development, personal connection, coaching, classification, and connecting with others “like me.” Through a discussion of the differences in development experiences between the participants in this study and the current literature on athlete development, the authors highlight areas of concern in applying a non-para-specific athlete development model to para swimmers. This study identifies several areas of consideration in the future design of a para athlete development framework or model.

Phenomenological Strands for Gaming Disorder and Esports Play: A Qualitative Registered Report

The recent inclusion of gaming disorder in the ICD-11 as a mental disorder has further increased the importance of researching the health spectrum related to gaming. A critical area in this regard is the lack of clarity concerning the differences between gaming disorder and intensive play, the latter of which often involves several gaming hours per day without related health problems especially among the players of the recently emerged esports games. In this study, we approach the above question by interpretive phenomenological analysis with interviews in two groups of highly involved videogame players: those who seek or have sought clinical help for their problems with gaming (n=5–15), and those who play esports more than 4 hours per day without self-reported related health problems (n=10–15). The interviews will be carried out by using a new 53-point Phenomenology of Play (POP) interview frame. These data are contextualized with interviews of medical experts (n=5–15) who have experience of working with the former group. All player interviews are repeated after 12 months. The project has two publication outcomes, from first and second round data, respectively. [Red font: parts that represent second-round interviews and second output.]