Authors: Cally R. Strobel, Zashata L. Burton, Angela J. Katzmarek, & Gina M. Gafford
Year of Publication: 2017
University: St. Catherine University
Title: The Lived Experience of Adults Using a Meditation App: A Phenomenological Study
Language: English
Key Words: meditation, headspace, meditation apps, mobile health, stress reduction
The following thesis includes a review of the literature on stress, meditation, and the Headspace app. A research description of different lenses including relevant terms, research paradigm, the culture of inquiry, and theoretical, personal and professional lenses. Next, the authors talked about the method used for our project. Lastly, there are the results and a discussion of the results.
Level of design
Considering that this thesis focus is not on design, I can’t really give it a so to say “Design Level”. What I can say is that this thesis analyses the design and the behaviour of mental health apps. In my consideration, it does it from a good perspective and gives a clear view of what it means in a mental health app.
Degree of innovation
Compare to other thesis or articles related to mental health app, I can say that this one has a good perspective and gives a good idea of what it means to have on the market an app for mental health. Even the data and literature on this topic is low because it is quite new, the authors were able to give a perspective on the topic. And expose some good points over the document. Even due, I did not find it really innovative because it is based on all the same ideas as most of the articles and thesis in disposition at the moment. So to say the thesis is innovative in the way they show the data and method, but it is not on the literature and examples used in it.
Independence
The thesis is for a university with the purpose to show the results and influence of mental health app on the adult public. For this, I will consider that the thesis is independently written, and it did only follow the university moral and scientific research rules.
Outline and structure
This thesis structure is really pure, it follows the statements recommended by many academic associations for practices of the well written. I did find it really clear and easy to use and follow.
Degree of communication
Even they use some terminology that was not often used, they manage to make a clear glossary, so the reader can understand what they mean or what is the word talking about.
Scope of the work
I think the author’s work was perfect, as I already said, it seems like they spend a good matter of time in the research of the thesis. The data and the structure of the results of the research show an effort and an effective method.
Orthography and accuracy
This thesis follows all the structures for a well-written document. I do not find any orthography mistakes or miss structure in the document. Furthermore, I find it useful and in context from a research point of view.
Literature
This chapter reviews the literature about stress, meditation, and the use of mobile meditation apps. First, the authors explain the increasing prevalence of stress, provide information about the physical and psychological effects of stress, and demonstrate how stress is a mind-body interaction. Second, they focus on explaining what is meditation and its history, benefits, and efficacy in relation to stress reduction. Third, they address the use of Headspace as a mobile meditation app. Lastly, this chapter concludes with our research question.
Chapter Lenses
The purpose of this chapter is to portray the relevant research lenses that have influenced the development and implementation of this study. Given the complexity of research involving varying cultures of inquiry, multiple methods of data collection and analysis, and different epistemologies and axiologies, that the authors believe that it is vital to make our lenses and our assumptions transparent to our readers. By doing this, the readers can reflect more critically on our assumptions, biases, and reasons for conducting this research study. It is our belief that the findings of this study are more reliable and valid because of this full disclosure. To better frame this research project, we first define relevant terms. Next, the authors expound upon our research paradigm and culture of inquiry. After this, they describe the theoretical lenses that have guided the study, as well as how these lenses have affected the development of this project. Finally, the author presents the personal and professional lenses and how these have influenced our research.
Chapter Method
This chapter is to describe how they used phenomenology as a culture of inquiry and method to answer our research question, “What is the lived experience of adults using a meditation app?” First, they discuss the constructivist paradigm as the most appropriate paradigm for guiding this project. Next, the discussion turns to why phenomenology is the best choice for our culture of inquiry by contrasting and comparing it with ethnography and hermeneutics. Following this, the authors provide a description of phenomenology with our rationale for why it is the best method for this project. Next, it provides sampling procedures, then gives an in-depth discussion of instrumentation and data collection. Finally, at the end of this chapter with a discussion of data analysis, ethical considerations and protection of human subjects, and methodological design strengths and limitations.
Chapter Results
The purpose of this chapter is to describe in detail the results of our phenomenological research study, which asks “What is the lived experience of adults using a meditation app?” First, the authors provide a description of the participants. Second, it is present observational data. Third, it is present six themes—relaxation, thoughts, emotions, senses, breathing and reduced stress—related to the participant’s lived experiences of Headspace.
In conclusion, this master thesis provides a good guide over what it means to have a mental health app that uses meditation as its main core. We can see through the process and what it means for society to have this kind of options into their accessible range.
(PDF) The Lived Experience of Adults Using a Meditation App (Headspace): A Phenomenological Study. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317040242_The_Lived_Experience_of_Adults_Using_a_Meditation_App_Headspace_A_Phenomenological_Study [accessed Dec 01 2021].
