A note on the hermeneutic circle for discussion work in dissertation report writing (information from perplexity.ai)
My question 1: "What is the hermeneutic circle all about with reference to the discussion work on university dissertation report chapter 2 (literature review), chapter 4 (presentation of research findings), and chapter 5 (discussion of findings) in the fields of business management and housing studies?"
The reply: "The hermeneutic circle is a foundational concept in interpretive research, describing a dynamic, iterative process of understanding where the researcher moves back and forth between the parts and the whole of a text or phenomenon. This process emphasizes that understanding the whole requires understanding its parts, and the parts only make sense in the context of the whole. It is relational, contextual, and dialogical, involving a continuous interplay between the researcher’s preconceptions, the data, and the broader context12.
Hermeneutic Circle in University Dissertation Chapters
Chapter 2: Literature Review
In the literature review, the hermeneutic circle guides the researcher to engage in an ongoing dialogue with existing studies, theories, and concepts relevant to the research topic. The researcher reads and interprets individual pieces of literature (parts) while continuously relating them to the overarching theoretical framework or research question (whole). This iterative process refines the researcher’s understanding and conceptual framework, allowing new insights to emerge as the literature is revisited in light of empirical findings later in the study. The literature review thus reflects the pre-understanding phase of the hermeneutic circle, where the researcher’s initial knowledge and assumptions are critically examined and developed14.
Chapter 4: Presentation of Research Findings
When presenting research findings, especially in qualitative studies such as those involving semi-structured interviews, the hermeneutic circle shapes the analysis by encouraging repeated movement between detailed data units (e.g., interview excerpts) and the broader research context or questions. This cyclical interpretation allows the researcher to identify and refine themes and meanings, integrating participants’ perspectives with the wider social, organizational, or policy context. Findings are presented as an evolving understanding rather than fixed conclusions, demonstrating how interpretations deepen through this iterative process. This chapter embodies the understanding phase, where empirical data interacts with prior knowledge to generate new insights124.
Chapter 5: Discussion of Findings
The discussion chapter represents the after-understanding phase, where the researcher reflects on the findings in relation to the literature and theoretical framework, completing the hermeneutic circle. Here, the iterative process continues as the researcher revisits and reinterprets both the empirical data and the literature, integrating them to answer the research questions comprehensively. The discussion highlights the co-construction of meaning between researcher and participants, acknowledges the influence of context and preconceptions, and shows how new knowledge contributes to the field. This dialogical and reflexive approach strengthens the rigor and depth of the dissertation14.
Application in Business Management and Housing Studies
Business Management Example: In a dissertation exploring concepts such as responsibility in banking, the hermeneutic circle helps the researcher move between individual empirical narratives (e.g., bankers’ accounts) and broader theoretical perspectives on responsibility. The literature review develops initial conceptualizations, which are refined through empirical findings and then integrated in the discussion to produce a nuanced understanding of responsibility in the banking context4.
Housing Studies Example: For a study investigating homeowners’ experiences with Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), the hermeneutic circle facilitates iterative interpretation of interview transcripts, moving between specific statements about personal and policy impacts (parts) and the broader housing affordability and policy environment (whole). This process enables the researcher to challenge and expand their preconceptions, producing rich, context-sensitive insights into housing solutions1.
Summary of Presentation Across Dissertation Chapters
This structured approach ensures that the hermeneutic circle permeates the entire research process, fostering a coherent, rigorous, and contextually grounded dissertation in both business management and housing studies1243.
In essence, the hermeneutic circle is about the continuous, reflective, and dialogical process of understanding that shapes how literature is reviewed, data is analyzed, and findings are discussed in social science dissertations, enabling deep, context-sensitive insights in fields like business management and housing studies."
My question 2: "Describe some specific hermeneutic circle techniques to employ on this topic."
The reply: "Specific hermeneutic circle techniques for a dissertation in business management or housing studies involve iterative, reflexive, and dialogical interpretive strategies that move continuously between parts and whole to deepen understanding. Here are some concrete techniques to employ:
1. Iterative Reading and Re-Reading
Repeated immersion in texts and data: Continuously read and re-read literature sources and empirical data (e.g., interview transcripts). Each reading deepens understanding by relating specific parts (e.g., a sentence, a concept, an interview excerpt) to the overall research question or theoretical framework (the whole), and vice versa239.
Example: In housing studies, repeatedly revisiting homeowners’ statements about ADUs while reflecting on housing policy literature helps refine interpretations of how individual experiences relate to broader social issues3.
2. Moving Between Parts and Whole at Multiple Levels
Multi-level hermeneutic circling: Apply the circle not only between the entire text and its parts but also within smaller units-such as between words, sentences, paragraphs, and chapters. This helps uncover nuanced meanings and the interdependence of details and context2.
Example: In business management, analyzing a banker’s narrative involves interpreting individual phrases in light of the whole interview and the wider concept of responsibility in banking, then revisiting the literature to see how these insights reshape theoretical understanding23.
3. Fusion of Horizons (Dialogical Engagement)
Engage researcher’s preconceptions and participant perspectives: Recognize and reflect on your own assumptions and how they interact with the data and literature. This fusion of horizons enables co-construction of meaning between researcher and text or participant23.
Technique: Use reflexive journaling or memoing to document how your understanding evolves and how your perspective influences interpretation, allowing for openness to new meanings39.
4. Thematic Coding and Conceptual Mapping
Iterative coding cycles: Identify meaningful units or themes in data, then relate them back to the theoretical framework and literature. Revise codes and themes as new insights emerge, reflecting the circular movement between empirical parts and conceptual whole37.
Example: In housing studies, codes like “family impact” or “policy challenges” from interviews can be iteratively linked to broader concepts of housing affordability and social change3.
5. Reflexive Dialogue with Literature
Revisit literature in light of findings: After initial literature review, return to key texts during and after data analysis to reinterpret them in light of empirical findings, expanding or challenging existing theories34.
Technique: Explicitly discuss in your dissertation how literature review evolved through engagement with data, demonstrating the hermeneutic circle’s iterative nature3.
6. Contextualizing Meaning Historically and Socially
Situate interpretation in time and place: Consider the historical, cultural, and social context of texts and data, recognizing that meaning is embedded in these contexts and that understanding involves relating parts and whole within these frameworks2.
Example: In business management, interpret bankers’ views on responsibility within the current financial regulatory environment and organizational culture2.
A collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.
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