The aim of this article is to discuss Husserlian phenomenology as philosophy and methodology, and its relevance for nursing research. The main content in Husserl's phenomenological world view is described and compared to the unitary-transformative paradigm as mentioned by Newman et al. The phenomenological methodology according to Spiegelberg is described, and exemplified through the author's ongoing study. Different critiques of phenomenology and phenomenological reports are mentioned, and the phenomenological description is illustrated as the metaphor «using a handful of colors». The metaphor is used to give phenomenological researchers and readers an expanding reality picturing, including memories and hopes and not only a reality of the five senses. It is concluded that phenomenology as a world view and methodology can contribute to nursing research and strengthen the identity of nursing as an independent discipline. The researcher, however, ought to acquire the phenomenological world view before doing a phenomenological study.
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