Phenomenological and hermeneutic approaches to person-centred nursing research

Abstract

We are Karen, Caroline and Elmira and we are three nurses who are engaged in PhDs with the Person-centred Practice Research Centre at Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh—although Elmira is registered at The University of Malta. In this chapter, we explore how phenomenological and hermeneutic approaches can offer one methodology to come to know and do person-centred research. We will take you, the reader, on a journey to show how we evolved the chapter; how we worked together, shared our experiences on how we believe phenomenological and hermeneutic approaches have strong connections to person-centred research. Within this chapter, you will hear the individual perspectives of the three of us. Yet will be able to feel how the three authors as unique individuals came together as one. We believe that three key messages emerge from this chapter. Firstly, phenomenology and person-centredness can be interwoven and intertwined through its strong connections for not only doing research, but our worldviews. Secondly, the hermeneutic process tries to see beyond what we take as obvious and straightforward. It encourages us to recognise alternative viewpoints and thus can shift our focus to what does it mean to be a person in the world. Thirdly, the process of becoming an engaged observer can help person-centred practice researchers to understand the importance of knowing who we are, knowing others, and developing practices as relationally based experience, which in turn contributes to meaning-making on the whole experience of being person-centred.