The Historical Methodological Foundation of Phenomenography

• Published in: Qualitative inquiry Vol. 31; no. 1; pp. 19 - 26
• Main Author: Svensson, Lennart
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.01.2025; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Contextual analysis; Didactics (including General and Subject Didactics); Didaktik (Här ingår: Allmän- och ämnesdidaktik); Educational research; Educational Sciences; Learning; Research methodology; Samhällsvetenskap; Social research; Social Sciences; Utbildningsvetenskap; contextual analysis; educational research; phenomenography; development of knowledge; research methodology
• ISSN: 1077-8004; 1552-7565; 1552-7565
• DOI: 10.1177/10778004241227270

Phenomenography is a research tradition originating from research on students’ studying and learning. The research methods of phenomenography have been discussed and criticized by many authors. There is a need for a presentation of the historical methodological foundation of phenomenography. The phenomenographic research methods are best understood as placed within the general research methodology and research approach of contextual analysis. The following description is directed to all interested in phenomenography and its methodological foundation. It is also directed to all interested in research methodology, especially in the fields of empirical educational and social science research. After a brief introduction, the common background of contextual analysis and phenomenography, and the origin and development of contextual analysis and phenomenography, are briefly outlined. Then, the methodological reflections and orientations in phenomenography, and the foundation of contextual analysis and phenomenography are presented. The article ends with a conclusion.