(Phenomenology of Practice (Developing Qualitative Inquiry)) [By: van Manen, Max] [Mar, 2014]

by Max Van Manen

Max van Manen offers an extensive exploration of phenomenological traditions and methods for the human sciences. It is his first comprehensive statement of phenomenological thought and research in over a decade. Phenomenology of practice refers to the meaning and practice of phenomenology in professional contexts such as psychology, education, and health care, as well as to the practice of phenomenological methods in contexts of everyday living. Van Manen presents a detailed description of key phenomenological ideas as they have evolved over the past century; he then thoughtfully works through the methodological issues of phenomenological reflection, empirical methods, and writing that a phenomenology of practice offers to the researcher. Van Manen’s comprehensive work will be of great interest to all concerned with the interrelationship between being and acting in human sciences research and in everyday life. Max van Manen is the editor of the series Phenomenology of Practice,

Genres: Research, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Qualitative Research

Paperback

First published March 31, 2014

About the author

At present Max van Manen is involved is a post-retirement teaching program at the University of Alberta where he has been teaching the doctoral research seminar Phenomenological Research and Writing. In addition Max van Manen is working of several books on phenomenological methodology and pedagogy as an ethical practice.
http://www.maxvanmanen.com/

Reviews

[Zachary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is essentially broken up into two topic areas: the first is describing the development of phenomenological thoughts and methods, and encouraging the practice of performing phenomenological reductions and writing exercises; the second is looking at prominent phenomenologists of the past and contemporary moment to show how they have developed and expanded on their unique perspectives on phenomenological methods. The book is thus very useful both as a methodological tool of instruction, and as a survey of different phenomenological topics and approaches. The thing I appreciated most about the survey portion of the book is that it provides a high-level view of some prominent phenomenologists without dumbing down their work, such that some of it is still fairly opaque even in this much abbreviated form. While this may seem bad in terms of helping understanding, I appreciated that it treated their work very seriously, as opposed to simply trying to make it palatable. Beyond this, the book really succeeds at encouraging the practice of phenomenology as opposed to simply practicing the philosophical, academic strains of phenomenology. As such the book is challenging and difficult in its implications and encouragements, while also being quite engaging and even inspiring to read.

[Arda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Van Manen is cool. More input on Researching Lived Experience.

Note on this from thesis:

Every moment constitutes within itself a sense of being, and every setting/space/place shapes the practice of the ‘self’ (Van Manen, 2007).

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're doing or thinking of doing a phenomenological study, read this.

[Pete · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe someone can convince me otherwise, but phenomenology is (apparently) not my cup of tea.

[Richard Wolff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! In both thought and expression, Van Manen expertly captures and shares the hard-to-capture practice of phenomenology, in all its subtlety, nuance, poetics and wonder (a word he emphasizes in his discussions). Not for everyone - clearly expects some prior familiarity with phenomenological philosophy and methodology, or a mentor (teacher in a graduate class?
research director?) who can help guide the reader through his unapologetically thorough discussion of phenomenology as a practice. I was regularly impressed with his ability to put into words what the experience of doing phenomenology involves, and do so in a very phenomenological way, itself. My one critique is the length of some of his occasional excursuses, interesting though they are; this is one place where the unapologetic approach becomes somewhat indulgent. Even so, I gladly concede this to him given all this book has to offer. Essential for anyone undertaking phenomenological research and/or writing.

[Chant · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on phenomenology I have read in many years!

[Leslie Wexler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully clear introduction to phenomenological thought that includes a survey of major thinkers in this continental movement. Van manen also included his own tips for transferring the spirit of phenomenology into practical research projects - including his own field: education.