Engineering Learning & Teaching

What are the assumptions underpinning phenomenography?

The key assumption underpinning phenomenography is that there are only so many ways that a given population can perceive, understand or experience any given phenomenon (Tight, 2016). The full range of different ways that a given population experiences a phenomenon at any point in time is termed the outcome space (Åkerlind, 2005).

When is it ideal to use phenomenography in education research?

Phenomenography can help educators to identify and foster learning approaches that facilitate a better understanding of the subject material that students are engaging with. This is consistent with research findings suggesting that different learning approaches lead to different learning outcomes (Marton, 1986).

Finally, what are the methods typically used in phenomenography?

Phenomenography is best viewed as a methodology whereby the actual methods used in carrying out the research vary according to the specific question being addressed (Booth, 2001). Typical data collection methods include semi-structured interviews, open-ended questionnaires, written reports, video, think-aloud methods, and observation (Booth, 2001; Han & Ellis, 2019).