Chinese Journal of Sociology

• Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Perception and Insight: Phenomenological Sociology in the Practice of Research

Yang Shanhua   

  • Received:1900-01-01 Revised:1900-01-01 Online:2009-01-20 Published:2009-01-20

Abstract: The most important significance of phenomenological sociology for the practice of qualitative research is an active attitude of cognition determined by the internal principles of phenomenology. Once this active attitude of cognition is carried out, it will bring a revolutionary change in our research as well as educating and training our students. Such cognition is accomplished through perception and insight in the practice of research; as a result, the acquired understanding and interpretation of the meaning of the phenomenon are relatively good in depth and accuracy; hence everyday life becomes the main target of research: Everyday life is the center of the life world. Furthermore, the life world that consists of social actors (including the subjectivity created by them) and the environment in which social actors live can be called a world of meaning to some extent.

Key words: everyday life, insight, perception, phenomenological sociology