1. University of Hull PhD Conference Tina South tina.south@tvu.ac.uk Phenomenology: From fluke finding to putting the Ph into D

2. From fluke finding to Philosophy course Introduction Reasons for not applying for PhD Interview Feeling disadvantaged at start of course Research modules Theoretical underpinnings explored Introductory Philosophy course

4. Phenomenology “useful in generating new information where little is known” (Kumar 2005) “requires a suspension of beliefs, assumptions and biases about the phenomenon under investigation”(Streubert and Carpenter 1999) “although difficult to look at phenomena with fresh eyes, this can be achieved with discipline and persistence” (Crotty 1996 )

5. The Challenge “Novice midwifery researchers undertaking research as part of further or higher postgraduate degrees may experience difficulties not only in grasping a new language, but in challenging their own understanding about philosophical theories relating to knowledge and existence.” (Lambert, Jomeen and McSherry 2010:321)

6. Autoethnography “Originally defined as the cultural study of one’s own people, this term now commonly refers to a particular form of writing that seeks to unite ethnographic (looking outward at a world beyond one’s own) and autobiographical (gazing inward for a story of one’s self) intentions.” (Schwandt 2007:16)

7. Student of Philosophy? “ demanding reading” (Westphal 2003:5) “potential of leading to sloppy science, resulting in misunderstood findings” (Streubert and Carpenter 1999) “complex, multifaceted philosophy which defies simple characterization because it is not a single unified philosophical standpoint” (Schwandt 2007:225)

8. Philosophical Student? “ any descriptive kind of philosophising, or even to justify proceeding on the basis of hunches and wild surmise” (Moran 2000:14) “you don’t have to be a philosopher to engage in the research process” (De Poy and Gitlin 1994:16) “ the findings of a good phenomenological study can resonate at a feeling level” (Gerrish and Lacey 2006:229)

10. Thank you “... because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns - the ones we don't know we don't know”. (Donald Rumsfeld Press Conference Feb 2002)

11. References Battle of Ideas (2008) Image of Philosophy Department door. Available at http://www.battleofideas.org.uk/index.php/2008/session_detail/1384/ Accessed 20 th Jan 2011. http://www.battleofideas.org.uk/index.php/2008/session_detail/1384/ Crotty, M. (1996) Phenomenology and nursing research. Melbourne: Churchill. Darra, S. (2008) Emotion work and the ethics of novice insider research. Journal of Research in Nursing. 13(3):251-261. DePoy, E. and Gitlin, L.N. (1994) Introduction to research: multiple strategies for health and human services. St. Louis: Mosby. Embree, L. (1997) What is phenomenology? Center for advanced research in phenomenology. (Online) Available at: http://online.tvu.ac.uk/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_id=_2_1&url=%2fwebapp s%2fblackboard%2fexecute%2flauncher%3ftype%3dCourse%26id%3d_28302_1 %26url%3d [Accessed: 29 th Nov 2009]. http://online.tvu.ac.uk/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_id=_2_1&url=%2fwebapp s%2fblackboard%2fexecute%2flauncher%3ftype%3dCourse%26id%3d_28302_1 %26url%3d

12. References Gerrish, K. and Lacey, A. (2006) The research process in nursing. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing. Kumar, R. (2005) Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. 2 nd ed. London: Sage Publications. Lambert,C., Jomeen,J. and McSherry,W. (2010) Reflexivity: a review of the literature in the context of midwifery research. British Journal of Midwifery. 18(5) : 321-326. Moran, D. (2000) Introduction to phenomenology. London:Routledge. Murray, R. (1996) How to write a Thesis. Second edition. Open University Press: Maidenhead..

13. References Schwandt, T.A. (2007) The Sage dictionary of qualitative inquiry. 3 rd ed. London: Sage Publications. Streubert, H.J. and Carpenter, D.R. (1999) Qualitative research in nursing: Advancing the humanistic imperative. 2 nd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott. Westphal, K.R. (2003) Hegel’s epistemology: A philosophical introduction to the phenomenology of spirit. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company Inc. Saunders,H. (2003) Image of baby gorilla scratching its head. www.howardsaunders.com Available at http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=31505 Accessed 20th Jan 2011. www.howardsaunders.com Proctor, S. and Renfrew, M.(eds) (2000) Linking Research and Practice in Midwifery : A Guide to Evidence-Based Practice. Edinburgh: Bailliere Tindall.