This article provides a reflective account of the lived experience of undertaking phenomenological research. Three postgraduate health science researchers and their supervisor share their experiences of understanding phenomenological theory, study design and application of phenomenological principles to a range of research topics including: first time motherhood, community singing and familial breast cancer. The article commences with the theoretical context; however, the main intention is to reveal the development of the students’ thinking and experience of doing phenomenological research. Such revelations are intended to encourage future social work and health science postgraduate researchers to consider phenomenology as having direct practical application for real life experience.
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