Application of the Phenomenological Method
Formulating the phenomenological question
For Van Manen (1998), phenomenological research begins with formulating the phenomenological question. What is the lived experience that the researcher is attempting to explore? In this study, the phenomenological question is: What is the lived experience of non-native-English-speaking graduate students in this country?
The second stage of the phenomenological process is the investigatory stage. This involves researching the lived experience of individuals in great depth. It depends upon personal expression in one of many forms. The researcher may
use writings, personal interviews, or observation, for example. In this study, the focus is on the personal interview.
Sample, setting, and unit of analysis
According to Munhall ( ), in qualitative research, the sample needs to be chosen according to pre-established guidelines, but the sample size is not as important as in quantitative studies. Instead, the sample size depends upon the result that the researcher is obtaining. As noted by Oiler, Boyd and Munhal (), sample size is determined by collecting data until the researcher finds that no new data are emerging.
For this study, the criteria for selection will be the following. Individuals will be non-native-English speakers, living in south Florida. They will be between the ages of 25 and 55, able to communicate in English or Spanish, and interested in sharing their experience of an attempt to pursue graduate study.
Data will be collected through a personal interview process. Participants will be recruited through friends of the researcher, and through personnel who have access to international students and other non-native speakers. Recruiters will distribute letters of intent explaining the project and the method of procedure.
I will be conducting all interviews with selected subjects. Subjects will particip...