What are the common challenges and pitfalls of conducting a phenomenological literature review?

1 Define the phenomenon

One of the first steps in conducting a phenomenological literature review is to define the phenomenon of interest clearly and precisely. This is crucial because the phenomenon determines the scope, focus, and criteria of the literature search and selection. However, defining the phenomenon can be challenging, as it may be complex, abstract, or ambiguous. Moreover, different authors may use different terms or definitions to describe the same or similar phenomena. Therefore, you need to be careful and consistent in defining the phenomenon, and justify your choice of terms and sources.

2 Identify relevant sources

Another challenge in conducting a phenomenological literature review is to identify and select relevant sources that provide rich and diverse insights into the phenomenon. This may require a comprehensive and systematic search strategy that covers multiple databases, keywords, and filters. However, finding relevant sources can be difficult, as not all studies that address the phenomenon may use the term "phenomenology" or adopt a phenomenological approach. Moreover, some sources may be inaccessible, outdated, or of low quality. Therefore, you need to be flexible and critical in identifying and selecting sources, and document your search process and criteria.

3 Analyze and synthesize the findings

A third challenge in conducting a phenomenological literature review is to analyze and synthesize the findings from the selected sources. This involves extracting and comparing the key themes, patterns, and variations that emerge from the lived experiences and meanings of the phenomenon. However, analyzing and synthesizing the findings can be complex, as there may be multiple, contradictory, or overlapping perspectives on the phenomenon. Moreover, some findings may be vague, incomplete, or biased. Therefore, you need to be rigorous and transparent in analyzing and synthesizing the findings, and use appropriate methods and tools.