Varieties of Phenomenological Research at the University of Dallas: An Emerging Typology

This article seeks to describe what characterizes phenomenological research as ‘phenomenological,’ especially in relation to the more general term, ‘qualitative research.’ Following research techniques being developed at the University of Dallas as a legacy of the ‘Duquesne school’ of phenomenological research, this article presents Giorgi's description of what he takes to be central features of a phenomenological method: description, use of the phenomenological reduction, consideration of intentionality, the disclosure of essences or structures as results, and the necessity that the researcher holds a psychological perspective in reference to the data (1985, 2003 [with B. Giorgi]). The article then describes several varieties of phenomenological research being practiced at the University of Dallas in terms of their subject matter, data, intentional or meaning relations being investigated, and the knowledge claims made. Common threads amongst the presented variety of phenomenological inquiry are discussed.