IN SEARCH OF EPOCHÉ: A QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH AS SUPPORT TO PHENOMENOLOGICAL REDUCTION

Abstract

In spite of the progress observed in the use of phenomenology as research method applied to social sciences, its use is still incipient, mainly in studies in the Management area. This paper discusses the possibility of trying a distinguished methodology, using the collection of quantitative data at the initial stage of a phenomenological approach. The main purpose of this strategy is to help researchers to practice the phenomenological reduction and to position themselves “in brackets” during the development of a research regarding the contextualization of disruptive innovation in the area of research and development of companies in the Brazilian electric power sector. First, this paper presents a discussion with respect to quantitative and qualitative methodologies, searching the availability of integrating different research strategies. Subsequently, it describes the phenomenological method and its variations, emphasizing the stage of phenomenological reduction and epoché (suspension of judgments). Finally, it discusses the legitimacy and the methodological strictness needed in the research. This study contributes to try variations of the phenomenological method in research within the area of organizations, and also suggests a hybrid research approach which quantitative and qualitative methods are complementary.