What does the term 'phenomenological research' primarily focus on?

Phenomenological research primarily focuses on understanding and interpreting the subjective experiences and perspectives of individuals. This approach is rooted in the belief that personal experiences and meanings are essential for comprehending human behavior and consciousness. By exploring how individuals perceive and make sense of their experiences, phenomenological research aims to gather in-depth insights into their lived realities.

This method is qualitative in nature, emphasizing the importance of personal narratives and descriptions over numerical data or statistical trends. Researchers employing phenomenological methods seek to capture the essence of participants' experiences, revealing insights that quantitative methods may overlook. Such an approach is particularly valuable in fields like music therapy, where understanding clients' personal stories and feelings can inform therapeutic practices and enhance the therapeutic relationship. The focus on individual perspectives allows for a richer understanding of phenomena, which is central to phenomenological inquiry.