How to Write a Phenomenological Dissertation: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Write a Phenomenological Dissertation: A Step-by-Step Guide is a practical handbook for students undertaking phenomenological research, with a focus on the challenges of writing up a dissertation. It offers applied guidance on how to structure and develop each dissertation chapter specifically for phenomenological work.

Recognising that phenomenology centres on personal experience, and that this can vary from researcher to researcher, the book addresses the confusion this flexibility can create for new researchers in the social, behavioural, or health sciences. Organised in a clear, step-by-step format, it follows the typical dissertation chapter sequence and breaks down key stages of phenomenological research, from confirming that phenomenology is the right approach, through the literature review, methods and results, and on to analysis and discussion. Drawing on experience supervising phenomenological dissertations, the author provides advice on fitting this work into more common frameworks, supported by checklists and tables. Each chapter also includes a list of additional resources, and the book features a dedicated chapter on creating your own phenomenological method for future studies.

Key details

• Step-by-step guidance for writing a phenomenological dissertation
• Structured around the chapters of a dissertation
• Covers selecting phenomenology, literature review, methods, results, analysis and discussion
• Includes checklists and tables throughout
• Each chapter provides a list of additional student resources
• Includes a chapter on creating your own phenomenological method

Synopsis

This brief guide explains how to plan and write a dissertation using phenomenological research. It acknowledges the variation inherent in studying personal experience and provides a structured approach designed to help new researchers navigate that flexibility. Arranged to mirror dissertation chapters, it outlines the main components of phenomenological research and offers practical support through checklists, tables, and curated resources. A final chapter focuses on developing your own phenomenological method for future work.