Psychology: In psychology, phenomenology is used to study the subjective experience of individuals with mental health conditions. For example, a phenomenological study might explore the experience of anxiety in individuals with generalized anxiety disorder, or the experience of depression in individuals with major depressive disorder.

Examples of phenomenological research Phenomenological research is common in sociology, where researchers aim to better understand the audiences they study. An example would be a study of the thoughts and experiences of family members waiting for a loved one who is undergoing major surgery.