“... Without It I Would Not Have Thought I Had Changed”: Phenomenological Case Study Research as a Methodology for Change

Purpose : This paper discusses how phenomenological research can be used as a tool to support reflection. It draws upon the methodology of a study exploring the lived experiences of eight primary physical education specialists in their first year of teaching in England and their teacher identity. Method : The study used interviews and participants’ visual representations of themselves as a discussion focus. Participants engaged in a reflective activity at the end of the study, which analyzed their experiences of the research study. Results : Results are presented as an example vignette produced from the interviews, written in the first person to represent the participants’ accounts alongside their visual representations and a thematic analysis of the interviews. Discussion/Conclusion : This paper will present both the methodological considerations and a summary of the findings from the original study. This paper advocates phenomenological research as an impetus for reflection and empowerment for participants.