Conducting Hermeneutic Research: The Address of the Topic

Authors

  • Nancy J Moules Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary
  • Jim C. Field Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary
  • Graham P. McCaffrey Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary
  • Catherine M. Laing Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11575/jah.v0i0.53242

Keywords:

Address, Gadamer, Hermeneutic research, Philosophical hermeneutics, Phronesis, Research Topics, Truth

Abstract

The conduct of research as guided by philosophical tenets of hermeneutics, in particular the hermeneutics of Hans-Georg Gadamer, is a complex and sophisticated endeavor. In this paper, we offer that one of the things that guides the inquiry is the topic and that most often topics for discovery arrive with the experience of an address. We discuss the notion of the address of the topic, how a researcher discerns a topic to be studied and, from this address, develops appropriate research questions that help to inform how the study will be conducted.

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Published

2014-04-23

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