Living phenomenology: reflections on an experience of initiation to scientific inquiry

Abstract

This work reports the lived experience of a PIBIC grant student and her advisor in conducting a scientific study based on the phenomenological referential. It demonstrates the critical reflection of the student in the analysis of her first contact with the phenomenological method. The procedures for the phenomenological interpretation of the experience were derived from Colaizzi´s method of analysis. The experience showed that phenomenological thought is intrinsically difficult because of its tendency to focus the natural consciousness on the things themselves rather than on the processes. This makes self-observation and the analysis of one´s own thoughts more complex. The experience, however, helped to enhance the student´s awareness of her thoughts and sentiments and those of others.