Van Manen (1990) suggested that there are six steps in conducting a
phenomenological study:
(1) Turning to the nature of lived experience which seriously interests
us and commits us to the world;
(2) Investigating experience as we live it rather than as we
conceptualize it;
(3) Reflecting on the essential themes which characterize the
phenomenon;
(4) Describing the phenomenon through the art of writing and
rewriting;
(5) Maintaining a strong and oriented pedagogical relation to the
phenomenon; and Balancing the research context by considering
parts and whole. (p. 30)