Do you want to discover how to understand and explain social phenomena by exploring the lived experiences of those you study? This course delves into empirical phenomenology, focusing on two essential research methods often used together in ethnographic studies: interviews and participant observation.
The course, which focuses on the practice of ethnography, is designed for researchers seeking to explore social realities accounting for the actors’ perspectives. It offers both strategic insights and practical guidance for conducting empirical research. Participants will learn not only how to master interviewing and participant observation, but also how to weave them into a cohesive and iterative research process—starting from selecting relevant theory and developing research questions, to conducting a prestudy, and integrating findings into data analysis and coding.
The course explores how interview and participant observation (or just observation), when thoughtfully applied, can lead to deeper insights, higher-quality findings, and impactful research outcomes. Throughout the course concrete criteria will be introduced that users can apply to both guide and propel their projects, at the same time as the research quality is safeguarded. These criteria will enable an integrated research framework of empirical phenomenology to elevate the quality and rigor of participants’ work.
