A Rigorous, Collaborative Approach to Phenomenological Inquiry: Uncovering Embodied Sexual Experiences and Giving Voice to the Marginalized

In this paper, we present our rigorous, collaborative approach to attaining credibility, confirmability and dependability in phenomenological research. Within sexology, most studies are based in experimental methods. These are good for hypothesis testing but not as useful for discovery-oriented research. Our phenomenological approach is unusual in that we use a large team of researchers with diverse identities and backgrounds to uncover, discover and attempt to bracket (i.e., suspend) pre-conceived notions collaboratively. Six or more team members, trained in this methodology, review transcripts individually and subsequently, together, until themes emerge. After all but two transcripts have been reviewed, two additional, senior team members, sequestered from the process thus far, then provide fresh perspectives and "external" review of the data analysis, leading to further refinement. We have instituted additional safeguards to build consensus while limiting social influence. This labor-intensive approach gives us confidence that we capture key informants' experiences fully, faithfully and accurately, while remaining as close as possible to "the thing itself". Our approach maintains the integrity and epistemology consistent with viewing key informants as the subjects of (rather than objects of) their own experience. This method can be especially useful for studying complex, nuanced, sexual phenomena, notably with marginalized populations.