Bracketing: transpersonal reflexivity for a phenomenological inquiry in an interpretivist framework

The scope of this paper is conducting a phenomenological research, within an interpretivist framing, then examining what the notion of bracketing means in this sense – the essence being that through reflexivity raising awareness of assumptions rather than trying to get rid of them, using these to the advantage of the research rather than treating them as limitations. The case in point are two research projects, one exploring the cognitive complexity of Nobel Laureates (Viktor Dörfler and Colin Eden) and another one aimed at the creativity of haute cuisine chefs (Marc Stierand and Viktor Dörfler). Regarding the second project it is particularly important that Marc have worked as chef in Michelin star restaurants before his academic career. Viktor interviewed 17 Nobel Laureates and Marc interviewed 18 of the best chefs in the world. In the second project Marc’s insider identity was a particular advantage, we argue that he would not be able to conduct such informative interviews without this history. In both projects we exercised a transpersonal reflexive process in implementing the bracketing. We conclude with a note that particular tools, namely causal mapping and knowledge-based systems can be used to facilitate such processes.