Brigitte S. Cypress - Fundamentals of Qualitative Phenomenological Nursing Research

The textbook Fundamentals of Qualitative Phenomenological Nursing Research by Dr. Brigitte Cypress is a great resource for not only novice researchers, but also anyone who is interested in conducting phenomenological qualitative research. Phenomenological research requires expertise, and this textbook provides a systematic approach from conception to dissemination of a phenomenological qualitative research. Dr. Brigitte Cypress, who has extensive experience in conducting this phenomenological research, has written the textbook in a simple and accessible way.

Dr. Brigitte Cypress’ was a professor of mine when I was studying for my PhD in Nursing at the Graduate Center City University of New York. Her passion for philosophy and phenomenological research was evident then, and it shows in her scholarly works. Her vast knowledge and expertise of phenomenological research makes her an authority in this method. Great job Dr. Cypress!

Meriam Caboral‐Stevens, PhD, RN, NP‐C

Associate Professor

School of Nursing

Eastern Michigan University, Michigan, USA

Dr. Brigitte Cypress is a mentor and educator to PhD students. When I embarked on using phenomenology as the philosophical approach for my dissertation, I called upon her scholarly expertise, and I am honored to have her on my committee. She is an expert when it comes to deciphering and explaining the nuances between all of the different philosophical and phenomenological paradigms, which this textbook so aptly covers.

Dr. Cypress established my foundation as a PhD student and piqued my interest in philosophy and using phenomenology to answer my research question. She was my first professor when I commenced my PhD journey at Pace University. Thank you, Dr Cypress, for all of your patience as I stumble through learning the complicated material, finding my way as a scholar, and for writing this book.

Cindy Paradiso MA, RN‐BC, CNE

PhD candidate

Adjunct Clinical Professor

Pace University, New York, USA

Kathleen Ahern Gould, PhD, MSN, RNEditor‐in‐Chief Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Clinical/Adjunct Faculty

William F. Connell School of Nursing

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA

Dr. Cypress brings together a seamless pathway to understand the foundation of qualitative research which lays the groundwork for the phenomenological research method. As the utilization of qualitative research approaches continues to expand in nursing and health sciences research, doctoral students and qualitative researchers need to be able to keep abreast of the expanding knowledge, skills, and tools about advances in the foundations of qualitative research and, for many, phenomenological research which supports the development of nursing knowledge. She emphasizes the concepts, methods, instructions/guides, while using an empathetic approach to conduct phenomenological study. The use of real‐life exemplars based on self‐conducted studies guides the reader through the process of qualitative research with an emphasis on the phenomenological research method. Her approach to phenomenology applies the philosophical aspects in phenomenological studies. This book promotes the understanding and challenges encountered in conducting qualitative and phenomenological approach studies.

As a researcher, professor, and author, Dr. Cypress assists those who are curious about lived experience and links qualitative research to evidence‐based practice, policy, theory, and “praxis” (outcomes). Her experience as teacher, researcher, and mentor sheds light on the real challenges in conducting a qualitative study and using data analysis software, all in one book. An exceptional strength of the book is the presentation of exemplars from Dr. Cypress's own research that serve as models for specific phases of phenomenological research process as well as a unique approach to concept analysis, laying a foundation for future research. This book provides the philosophical and paradigmatic aspects of phenomenological research while using exemplars of the application of philosophy to the qualitative research process.

Keville Frederickson, EdD, RN, FAAN

Professor and Founding Director, PhD Program

Lienhard School of Nursing

College of Health Professions

Pace University, New York, USA

Donna M. Nickitas, PhD, RN, NEA‐BC, CNE, FNAP, FAAN

Dean and Professor

Rutgers School of Nursing, Camden, New Jersey, USA

Table 2.1Philosophical assumptions and questions to ask

Table 2.2Paradigms and worldviews

Table 2.3Constructivism and paradigm position

Table 2.4The Duquesne Phenomenological Research Method

Table 2.5Sample of Giorgi’s three‐step data analysis and corresponding themes

Table 2.6Conceptual versus theoretical framework

Table 3.1Types of data

Table 3.2Qualitative research design data collection techniques

Table 3.3Procedures for preparing and conducting interviews

Table 3.4Qualitative general data analysis procedures

Table 3.5Classifying codes into themes in qualitative research designs

Table 3.6Developing and assessing interpretations in qualitative research designs

Table 3.7Representing and visualizing the data in qualitative research designs

Table 4.1Types of qualitative data analysis software

Table 4.2Considerations when choosing a qualitative data analysis software package

Table 5.1The four criteria of trustworthiness: scientific and naturalistic terms

Table 5.2Terms related to reliability

Table 5.3Synthesis of validity criteria development

Table 5.4Techniques for demonstrating validity

Table 5.5Trustworthiness criteria applied to the exemplar phenomenological study

Table 6.1Ethical writing questions for qualitative researchers

Table 7.1Reporting guidelines for qualitative research papers

Table 7.2Writing resources

Table 8.1Phenomena and research questions in qualitative studies

Table 8.2Questions to ask regarding whether to use qualitative research

Table 10.1Family conference and/or meeting in the ICU: family and healthcare outcomes

Table 10.2Outcomes of transfer and discharge from ICU for patients, family members, and nurses

Figure 6.1Patient–family–nurse lived ICU experiences themes and descriptors

Figure 6.2Patient–family–nurse lived ED experiences themes and descriptors

Quoting the title of Wanda Pillow's writing in Merriam's (2002) book, “Looking Back to Move Forward: Reflections on How I Did Research Impacts What I Know Now,” this is how I want to start this book: to look back at how I conducted my first qualitative phenomenological research, 11 years ago – my lived experiences of it; the many years of intensive, non‐stop reading and learning; meeting with experts; networking with philosophers, phenomenologists, scholars, and researchers of qualitative research; presenting multiple times in conferences around the world; teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students about research; being in dissertation committees of my PhD students; how I grew and flourished in this field and expertise – to become today a phenomenologist, qualitative researcher, scholar, and professor. I have been trained and I prepared well to write this book. Eleven years of phenomenological research: conducting inquiries, writing and applying for grants, writing and publishing consistently through the years – which is not so easy to do, and also not for everyone. The experience has been tedious, intense at times, but rewarding as well, and it becomes part of one's life. Philosophy and phenomenology are what I am passionate about.