The question of meaning—a momentous issue for qualitative research

ABSTRACT

In this article, we identify some worrying problems in the contemporary practice of qualitative research, such as the confusion regarding content and meaning in content analysis, the frequent use of standardized methods that avoids philosophy, as well as the description/interpretation dichotomy in empirical research. Since they all arise from a failure to understand the concept of meaning, we return to the question of meaning as the axis that qualitative research pivots around. We examine the meaning of meaning, and how meaning differs from content, and we then ask what consequences this has for research. Even though our analysis is rooted in phenomenological philosophy, we argue that that the ideas that we present are valid for any qualitative research approach. The question of understanding and relating to meaning, we argue, is a momentous issue for qualitative research, where we either continue safeguarding the very essence of qualitative research as dealing with human phenomena, or give it up in favor of more pragmatic and clear-cut methods that seemingly does away with the question of meaning.

KEYWORDS:

• Qualitative research
• meaning
• content analysis
• phenomenology
• method
• description
• interpretation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. Bridling as improvisational openness is elaborated on in a forthcoming publication (Dahlberg in press).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Helena Dahlberg

Helena Dahlberg is a philosopher and a Senior Lecturer in qualitative research methods. Her PhD is about the philosophy of Merleau-Ponty and the concept of flesh. Her area of expertise is the use and development of phenomenological philosophy in empirical research approaches.

Karin Dahlberg

Karin Dahlberg is professor in health sciences, partly retired. Previously she was at Växjö university/Linnaeus University in Sweden where she directed a doctoral program of health sciences as well as a centre for Lifeworld Research. She has developed a phenomenological approach to empirical research (Reflective Lifeworld Research).