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pure phenomenon is isolated from what is already up the Cartesian certitude which played an phenomena and pertain to the totality of
known about a particular phenomenon (Speziale important role in developing his phenomenology human existence, phenomenology becomes
& Carpenter, 2007). in the book entitled Cartesian Meditations: An at the hands of Heidegger existential
Bracketing or separating out of consciousness Introduction to Phenomenology. phenomenology. (pp. 2-3)
what is already known about or believed about Certainly, in order to ensure a phenomenology Despite this statement, it should be noted that
the phenomenon being experienced is part of the that would allow him to enter into the ‘‘pure Heidegger made no claim of existential
reductive process (Speziale & Carpenter, 2007; consciousness’’ for phenomenological phenomenology, for, as noted above, Heidegger
Polit & Beck, 2008). This process entails that in description, Husserl borrowed Descartes’ infallible is not concerned with existence but that his
order to grasp the essential lived experience of doctrine of truth: ‘‘I think, hence I am’’ objective is to answer the question concerning the
those being studied, the researcher should shed (Descartes, 1981, p. 27), a doctrine in which the meaning of Being. It is Heidegger’s concern to get
all prior knowledge related to the phenomenon ‘‘I am what I am’’ (or the mind) is distinguished into ‘‘the full essence of existence’’ (Heidegger,
being studied (Lopez & Willis, 2004). This from the body (Descartes, 1981). For Descartes, 1998b, p. 284), the being that exists in the human
technique was not to eliminate the existence of this infallible doctrine of certitude (‘‘I am what I being. This explains why Heidegger’s
that prior knowledge (which Husserl called am’’) will allow the analyst to ‘‘. . .inquire in acknowledged Magnum Opus bears the title
transcendence) but to allow the bracketing of general into what is essential to the truth and Being and Time, published in 1927, not the title
knowledge (Lauer, 1958). certainty of a proposition’’ (Descartes, 1981, p. ‘‘Existence and Time.’’
‘‘With epoché in operation, whatever is known 27). Husserl borrowed this inerrable Cartesian ‘‘I In addition, Colaizzi appears to have rejected
is known as essential and necessary’’ (Lauer, think hence I am’’ doctrine and made it the Husserl’s phenomenology, affirming Heidegger’s
1958, p. 50). To this end, only a cursory review of foundation of certitude in developing his method phenomenology when he wrote in his 1973 book
literature is even suggested prior to the conduct of of phenomenological reduction for gaining access entitled Reflection and Research in Psychology:
the study to achieve pure description (Speziale & into the ‘‘transcendent world’’ of pure essences. . . . it (phenomenological psychology) is the
Carpenter, 2007). Bracketing is done to achieve The Neo-Kantians however, criticized recognition of phenomena as genuinely and
transcendental subjectivity, which is not allowing Husserl’s philosophy of consciousness as nothing equally constituted by origins and
biases and preconceptions to interfere with the new, for this problematique had long been appearances that provides the justification
object of the study by constantly assessing it addressed in Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason for qualifying the methods by which the two
(Lopez & Willis, 2004). Culture, society, politics, (Kant, 2001). Heidegger consequently developed subject matters are derived as
and the effects of these on an individual are not a mode of interpretation called hermeneutic phenomenological (sic) methods: regarding
central to Husserl’s thoughts (Lopez & Willis, ontological phenomenology. Heidegger was not origins in refusing to reduce reality to what is
2004). Therefore, the descriptive phenomenology concerned with ‘‘facticity’’ or ‘‘factuality of such a
immediately accessible to reflective or
of Husserl is the ‘‘direct exploration, analysis, and fact’’ in the sense of logical categories, but of the
conceptual consciousness, our methods
description of particular phenomena, as free as meaning of Being in unconcealment. He was not
actively search for origins of phenomena. (p.
possible from unexamined presuppositions, interested in the epoché or phenomenological
119)
aiming at maximum intuitive presentation’’ description of essences or pure consciousness
This discussion addresses the search for
(Spiegelberg, 1975, p. 57). but of the grasping of the possibility that, as he
origins of phenomena which is a more primordial
Phenomenological reduction was Edmund says ‘‘higher than actuality stands possibility’’
level of human existence, being-in-the world
Husserl’s attempt to resolve Immanuel Kant’s (Heidegger, 1962, p. 63). Although Heidegger
affirms Heidegger’s phenomenological ontology
thesis concerning the impossibility of gaining was a famous student of Husserl, he opined that
and rejects the Husserlian ‘‘phenomenological
access into the ‘‘things by themselves’’ which the ‘‘reduction of all objects to conscious
Kant (as cited by Durant, 1967) himself described phenomena seemed dangerously one-sided’’ reduction’’ of human experiences. Although
as the noumena (or nonsensual but intelligible (Colaizzi, 1973, p. 2). For Heidegger, the proper Colaizzi appears to reject Husserl’s
reality or ‘‘transcendent esthetics’’) in his Critique subject of phenomenology is the ‘‘meaning of phenomenology, this essay maintains the
of Pure Reason. Durant (1967) explained that the Being’’ or the meaning of human existence, of usefulness of Husserlian phenomenology as an
Neo-Kantians criticized Husserl’s attempt and what determines a being. Colaizzi (1973) further approach to search ‘‘pure essences’’ of human
upheld Kant’s thesis that exalts the possibility of describes the development of Heideggerian experiences through phenomenological
retrieving ‘‘pure reason’’ from the ‘‘impure phenomenology as existential in this statement: description in the context of reduction. Colaizzi’s
knowledge which comes to us through the In his search for the meaning of ‘‘being,’’ method can still work with Husserlian science.
distorting channels of our senses’’ (p. 265). For Heidegger (1962) rejects the
Kant, ‘‘pure reason’’– that is, the noumena–refers phenomenological reduction as an Colaizzi’s Method of Data Analysis
to his ‘‘a priori’’ knowledge that comes to us as unwarranted truncating of Being. Against To mediate between empirical psychology and
absolute, true even before our sense experience Husserl’s view that being is dependent on, philosophical phenomenology, phenomenological
can take place. Kant’s brilliant proof for this or at least coextensive with the constituting psychology, which is a descriptive discipline, was
possibility of a priori knowledge is mathematical power of consciousness, Heidegger claims initiated by Husserl (Colaizzi, 1973). Colaizzi
knowledge. To Kant, mathematical knowledge is that consciousness itself is a constituted developed a method to analyze
‘‘necessary and certain’’ and for which human activity, founded upon the more phenomenological qualitative data (Colaizzi,
conception of its infallibility in the future is primordial level of human existence, being in 1978). He contends that experimental method
improbable (Durant, 1967, p. 266). the world. To the extent that Heidegger cannot be applied to the objective investigation of
Kant in his Critique, written in 1781, asserted explicates the various modes of the unified human experience but rather by ‘‘a method that
his parallel thesis: ‘‘How far we can advance structure of being-in-the-world according to remains with human experience as it is
independent of all experience, in a priori their appearances as phenomena, he experienced, one which tries to sustain contact
knowledge. . .’’ (Durant, 1967, p. 267). But this remains as a phenomenologist. But in as with experience as it is given. This can be
Kantian thesis did not find its way to Husserl’s much as these modes are much more achieved only by a phenomenological method of
phenomenology. Instead, Husserl (1999) picked extensive than merely conscious description’’ (Colaizzi, 1973, p. 53).
tinued to have the sense perceived and the sense create by living the intention to care’’ Formulating meanings. The third step is
co-perceived appearances of the phenomenon (Boykin et al., 2010, p. 373). formulating the meanings or spelling out the
(lived experience of commercial sex workers). Nursing is both a discipline and a profession. meaning of each significant statement (Colaizzi,
These intruding thoughts had to be consciously As a discipline and a profession, ‘‘nursing 1978). There were 254 formulated meanings
pushed aside by the researcher. uniquely focuses on caring as its central (FMs) derived from the 232 significant statements
Themes were organized into a rich exhaustive value, its primary interest, the direct intention (SS). There were more FMs than SS because
description. This exhaustive description was of its practice.’’ (Boykin et al., 2010, p. 372) some significant statements had more than one
shown to the participants. The result of the Referring to the model of the conceptual formulated meaning. The FMs were numbered
validation process was integrated into the findings consecutively. Since this step entails creative
framework for this study (Figure 1), the arrow
of the study. The discussion of the findings of the insight but not severing connections with the
pointing from the research process to Nursing As
study is grounded in Boykin and Schoenhofer’s original transcriptions (Colaizzi, 1978), the
Caring theory of Boykin and Schoenhofer illus-
Nursing As Caring theory as presented and researcher constantly referred to the original
described in their recent published work (Boykin trates that the findings of this study will be used to
transcripts of the interviews. In this step, the
et al., 2010). The theoretical assumptions inform and guide nursing research, practice, edu-
researcher leaps from what the study participants
underpinning the theory structure the discussion: cation, and healthcare policy using the theory of
say to finding what they mean, thus making a
Persons are caring by virtue of their Boykin and Schoenhofer (2001; Boykin et al., ‘‘precarious leap’’ (Colaizzi, 1978, p. 59). Colaizzi
humanness. ‘‘Caring is an altruistic 2010). Likewise, the arrow from the theory of further explained that in finding these formulated
expression of love and is the intentional and Boykin and Schoenhofer back to the male com- meanings, the researcher must discover and
embodied recognition of value and mercial sex worker illustrates that nursing as a illuminate the hidden meanings considering the
connectedness. The full meaning of caring discipline and profession will use the findings of various contexts and horizons of the phenomenon
cannot be restricted to a definition but is the study for the well-being of the male commer- which is described in the original transcript ‘‘and
illuminated in the experience of caring and in cial sex workers. must not formulate meanings which have no
the reflection on that experience’’ (Boykin et connection with the data’’ (p. 59). To remain
al., 2010, p. 372) Data Analysis Following Colaizzi’s faithful to this description, validation was sought
Persons are whole and complete in the Phenomenological Approach from a methodology expert for the formulated
moment. ‘‘The idea that persons are whole Making sense or acquiring feeling for the meanings, themes, and eventually the theme
and complete in the moment permits the protocols. Using the seven-step Colaizzi method, clusters (or clusters of themes) that described the
nurse to accept conflicting feelings and to be the study of the lived experience of the male phenomenon being studied.
open to the nursed as a person, not merely
commercial sex workers was analyzed and
as an entity with diagnosis and superficially Organizing the clusters of themes. The fourth
discussed. The transcriptions were read several
or normatively understood behavior’’
times in order to understand the fullness of the step was to organize the formulated meanings
(Boykin et al., 2010, p. 375). Any aspect or
experience as described by each participant into clusters of themes. The 254 coded
dimension of the person reflects the whole.
(Colaizzi, 1978). Since the narratives were in formulated meanings were organized and
Relating to the person as a whole, as caring
Cebuano, one of the Philippine languages, these categorized into 21 themes. After carefully
and complete, is intentional and does not
were translated into English by the researcher. To reading and reviewing the meanings of the
provide for dividing the person into parts.
ensure that the meanings were not lost during experience, 21 themes were found to cluster into
Persons live caring from moment to moment.
translation, a bilingual (English and Cebuano four thematic categories describing the meaning
The nurse strives ‘‘to know self and other as
languages) professional translator and editor of the participants’ lived experience. These were
caring in the moment with a growing
validated all the translations. Struggle, Realization, Invulnerability, and
repertoire of ways of expressing caring’’
Approval. These four thematic clusters were
(Boykin et al., 2010, p. 375). The ‘‘fullness of
being human is expressed as one lives regarded as the central themes of the study.
Extracting significant statements. The
caring uniquely day to day. . . unfolding researcher returned to each transcript to ‘‘extract
possibilities moment to moment’’ (Boykin & Integration of results and exhaustive
from them phrases or sentences that directly
Schoenhofer, 2001, p. 11). ‘‘One continues description. The fifth and the sixth steps in
pertain to the investigated phenomenon’’
to grow in caring competency, in fully Colaizzi’s method of analysis are integrating the
(Colaizzi, 1978, p. 59). The Cebuano
expressing self as caring person.’’ (p. 11) results of the investigated topic into an exhaustive
transcriptions and their corresponding English description and identifying its fundamental
Personhood is a way of living grounded in translations were arranged side by side in
caring. ‘‘Personhood is understood to mean structure. This description was written as
columns to aid in verifying the meaning of the unequivocally as possible. To do this, the theme
living grounded in caring. . .personhood is
data. Each transcription was analyzed after each clusters and themes were integrated to form the
the universal human call. A profound
interview, holding in abeyance (in a process description.
understanding of personhood communicates
already described) those notions of meaning of
the paradox of person-as-person and
person-in-communication all at once.’’ the phenomenon that were gleaned from each Validation. The final step in Colaizzi’s method of
(Boykin et al., 2010, p. 373) narrative and the significant statements (SS) in data analysis is validation of the findings. This
Personhood is enhanced through English were coded or numbered consecutively. was done by meeting four of the seven
participation in nurturing relationships with Some idioms in Cebuano (e.g., kapit sa patalim; participants (three participants were either not
caring others. ‘‘It is in the context of caring sira) could not be translated into English verbatim; available or could not be reached through their
between that personhood is enhanced’’ these were left as is with a brief explanation contact numbers). Each of the four was given a
(Boykin et al., 2010, p. 373). Caring provided in parentheses. A total of 232 significant copy of the exhaustive descriptions translated into
between is the ‘‘loving relation into which statements (SS) were extracted from the seven Cebuano. They were asked if the exhaustive
the nurse and the nursed enter and co- in-depth interviews. descriptions accurately described their experience
and if they had anything more to add. One method of data analysis. PhD Thesis, Silliman Smith, D. W. (2008). Phenomenology. In The
participant suggested including an aspect University, Dumaguete City, Philippines. Stanford encyclopedia of philosophy online.
regarding the situation of threat to life such as Boykin, A., & Schoenhofer, S. O. (2001). Nursing Retrieved from http://plato.stanford.edu/
being murdered by adding a sentence such as As Caring. A model for transforming practice. entries/phenomenology/
‘‘Ang uban na salvage kay ilang pangawatan ug Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett. Speziale, H. J., & Carpenter, D. R. (2007).
butang o kwarta ang ilang customer’’ (‘‘others Boykin, A., Schoenhofer, S. O., & Linden, D. Qualitative research in nursing: Advancing the
were ‘salvaged’ [slang or street word for ‘killed’] (2010). Anne Boykin and Savina O. humanistic imperative (2nd ed.). Philadelphia,
because they robbed their customers of personal Schoenhofer’s Nursing As Caring theory. In M. PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
things or their money’’). E. Parker, & M. C. Smith (Eds.), Nursing Spiegelberg, H. (1975). Doing phenomenology:
theories & nursing practice (3rd ed.) (pp. Essays on and in phenomenology (Vol. 66).
Conclusion 370-386). Philadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis. Hague, Netherlands: Martinus Nijhoff.
In qualitative nursing inquiry, Husserlian Colaizzi, P. F. (1973). Reflection and research in
phenomenology can be used as the inquirer psychology: A phenomenological study of
attempts to maintain utmost objectivity in the learning. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt. Author Note
process of data gathering. This can be realized Colaizzi, P. F. (1978). Psychological research as Evalyn E. Abalos, PhD, RN is the Acting Dean
through the application of bracketing or the phenomenologist views it. In R. Vale & M. and Assistant Professor of the College of Nursing
‘epoche.’ Furthermore, available data can be King (Eds.), Existential-phenomenological at Silliman University in Dumaguete City,
analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step process in alternatives for psychology (pp. 48-71). New Philippines. Her varied interests in understanding
order to arrive at pure essences or meanings York, NY: Oxford University Press. human health provided the impetus for the study
of the experience. The findings of the study can Descartes, R. (1981). A discourse on method: of lived experiences as a vehicle for
be discussed according to relevant research Meditations and principles. (J. Veitch, Trans.). understanding nursing within the caring viewpoint.
and using an extant nursing theory such as London, United Kingdom: Dent Everyman’s Reynaldo Y. Rivera, PhD is Associate Professor
Boykin and Schoenhofer’s Nursing As Caring Library. and Dean of the Graduate School, Silliman
theory. Durant, W. (1967). Story of philosophy. New York, University, Dumaguete City, Philippines. He is
NY: Washington Square Press. instrumental in the development of the valuing of
Implications Giorgi, A. (2005). The phenomenological philosophical analysis and furthering qualitative
Qualitative nursing inquiry using Husserlian movement and research in the human research in nursing. Rozzano C. Locsin, PhD,
phenomenology, Colaizzi’s method of data sciences. Nursing Science Quarterly, 18(1), RN, FAAN, is Professor Emeritus of the Christine
analysis, and a nursing theory contribute to 75-82. doi:10.1177/0894318404272112 E. Lynn College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic
nursing empirics, thus advancing nursing Heidegger, M. (1962). Being and time. (J. University, Boca Raton, Florida, USA. Currently,
knowledge. Such nursing inquiry can also Macquarrie, & E. Robinson, Trans.). New he is also a Professor of Nursing at Tokushima
advance and inform nursing practice regarding York, NY: Harper & Row. University in Tokushima, Japan. Savina O.
how practitioners can objectively know persons Heidegger, M. (1998a). Letter on ‘‘humanism.’’ In Schoenhofer, PhD, RN, is a retired Professor of
and therefore be better equipped to nurse them. W. Mc Neill (Ed.), Pathmarks (pp. 239-276). Nursing from Alcorn State University and the
Additionally, such studies allow nurses to United Kingdom: Cambridge University. University of Mississippi Medical Center, School
appreciate the significance of relating nursing Heidegger, M. (1998b). Introduction to ‘‘What is of Nursing, Jackson, Mississippi, USA.
theories to nursing practice. metaphysics?’’ In W. Mc Neill (Ed.), Funding: This research received no specific
Pathmarks (pp. 277-290). United Kingdom: grant from any funding agency in the public,
Recommendations Cambridge University. commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
This paper provided the description of using Husserl, E. (1999). Cartesian meditation (D. Correspondence regarding this article may be
Husserlian phenomenology and Colaizzi’s method Cairns, Trans). Dordrecht, Netherlands: sent to Dr. Evalyn E. Abalos, College of Nursing,
of data analysis in a qualitative nursing inquiry Kluwer Academic. Silliman University, Dumaguete City, 6200
and presented a model illustrating the conceptual Kant, I. (2001). Critique of Pure Reason. In A. W. Philippines. Email may be sent via the Internet to
lens through a study exemplar grounded in the Wood (Ed.), Basic writings of Kant. New York, evalyn_2004@yahoo.com
significance and relevance of the theory of Boykin NY: Modern Library Classics.
and Schoenhofer’s theory of Nursing As Caring. It Krishnamurti, J. (1970). Tradition and revolution
is recommended that extant nursing theories be dialogue 11 New Delhi 29th December 1970
utilized to ground the discussion of the findings of ‘beauty and perception.’ Retrieved from http://
qualitative nursing inquiry in order to explicate www.jiddu-krishnamurti.net/en/tradition-and-
further the relevance of nursing theories to revolution/1970-12-29-jiddu-krishnamurti-
nursing practice. Perhaps most importantly, using tradition-and-revolution-beauty-and-perception
an explicit nursing theoretical framework to Lauer, Q. (1958) Phenomenology: Its genesis and
ground qualitative nursing research provides prospect. New York, NY: Harper & Row.
immediate guidance for translation to practice, Lopez, K. A., & Willis, D. G. (2004). Descriptive
thus diminishing the gap between theory and versus interpretive phenomenology: Their
practice. contributions to nursing knowledge. Qualitative
Health Research, 14, 726-735. doi:10.1177/
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