Bracketing is not required for all qualitative study designs.
The only research design that often requires bracketing is phenomenology. When conducting phenomenology, the researcher has to be directly involved with participants and this increases the likelihood of preconceptions and subjectivities in the research process.
Therefore, bracketing becomes integral in establishing qualitative research rigor.
Bracketing in Phenomenology
The aim of the researcher in a phenomenological study is to explore and understand individuals’ lived experiences. The purpose of bracketing in all these is to ensure that the participants’ experiences are captured authentically. This approach helps the researcher to set aside their own preconceptions, biases, and prior knowledge. Thus, they can be able to view the phenomenon being studied from the participants’ perspectives without interference from their assumptions.
Two main types of phenomenology that involve bracketing are:
- Descriptive Phenomenology – This approach is generally focused on describing the essence of experiences. Bracketing is essential to achieve epoché, or suspension of judgment.
- Interpretive Phenomenology – Interpretive phenomenology acknowledges that complete bracketing is impossible. However, the researcher still strives to demonstrate awareness of their biases during data analysis.
Key Concepts
- Epoché (Suspension of Judgment/Suspending Pre-conception)
Epoché is a term from Husserlian phenomenology, the researcher’s suspension of beliefs and assumptions to see the phenomenon as it is.
- Reflexivity
Researchers continuously reflect on their thoughts, feelings, and assumptions throughout the research process.
- Transparency
Transparency involves documenting the process of bracketing to ensure the study’s credibility and trustworthiness.
- Intentionality
Intentionality refers to researcher’s ability to focus solely on participants’ experiences without interpreting them through a personal lens.
Purpose of Bracketing
- Bracketing enhances objectivity. While it may be impossible to attain complete objectivity, bracketing is considered a strategy for minimizing the influence of subjective biases to increase credibility and trustworthiness of findings.
- The other purpose of bracketing is focusing the study on participant’s experiences.
- Another reason for bracketing is increasing rigor. A qualitative study seems more reliable if the interpretation of data is not affected by the researcher’s bias.
Having understood the purpose, it is important to explain how a researcher can approach bracketing.
5 Bracketing Techniques used in Phenomenological Research
Self-Reflection
This is considerably the most common technique for bracketing. Self-reflecting begins before the actual research. The researcher identifies and lists personal assumptions and beliefs related to the top. This is done through journaling where the researcher documents their thoughts.
Ongoing Awareness
Even after journaling thoughts before the study, the research process may present new possible areas of bias. It is important to remain aware of thoughts and emotions that could influence data interpretation.
Neutrality in Data Collection
Collecting data with neutrality is a bracketing technique where interview and observation records are undertaken with the researcher keeping off leading questions.
Steering off assumptions or leading questions allow participants to express their opinions or experiences freely.
Data Analysis with an Open Mind/Continuous Reflexivity
In addition to collecting data from a neutral standpoint, bracketing in phenomenology can be achieved through data analysis with an open mind. Researchers analyze data without imposing their interpretations. The focus should be on participants’ words and meanings.
Continuous reflexivity helps maintain awareness of personal biases during analysis.
Peer Review and Collaboration
These two approaches to bracketing are also quite important. Colleagues or mentors review the research process and findings to identify potential bias. Also, the researcher needs to maintain a transparent record of their reflections and decisions throughout the study to enhance credibility and trustworthiness.
FAQs
Bracketing is not achieved through a single, straightforward approach. It is an ongoing, iterative process that occurs throughout the research study. A researcher begins from the initial stages of data collection to the final stages of data analysis and interpretation. Researchers continuously revisit their assumptions and biases as this ensures their perspectives do not influence the participants’ narratives.
Some researchers use detailed reflexive journaling from the start to the end of the qualitative study.
Others incorporate peer debriefing or external auditing to reduce potential undue influence of personal views on data interpretation
Some researchers use member checking to maintain authenticity of participant’s voices.
Read More: How to Do Member Checking in Qualitative Research
Different researchers may apply bracketing in slightly different ways depending on their philosophical approach and the specific context of their study.
Example variations include Descriptive Phenomenology and Interpretive Phenomenology.
For descriptive phenomenology (Husserlian Approach), bracketing is more rigid and systematic. The researcher has to suspend all personal beliefs and assumptions throughout the study. This process is often referred to as epoché.
Interpretive phenomenology (Heideggerian Approach) leaves no room for complete bracketing. It is impossible to achieve one hundred percent bracketing because researchers inevitably bring their own experiences to the research. Instead, the focus should be on reflexive awareness of one biases.
