Meta-Reflection on an Applied Hermeneutic Phenomenology: Methodological Challenges of a Study on Young-Women's Political Participation

Abstract

In this article, we present a meta-reflection on the following questions: What methodological challenges arise when using VAN MANEN's (1990, 2014) applied hermeneutic phenomenology in a study of young-women's political participation? How can its analysis contribute to a critical reflection on this methodology in the human sciences? We present methodological challenges regarding delimiting the phenomenon, defining the research question, selecting participants, collecting data, conducting thematic analysis and working with a diverse team. We conclude that these challenges are transferable to other empirical phenomenological research, and that researcher reflexivity is key to facing them.

Keywords

• hermeneutic phenomenology
• applied hermeneutic phenomenology
• qualitative research
• research methodology