Full Idea
It is a mistake to suppose that research into phenomenal consciousness can proceed just like other kinds of scientific research. Phenomenal concepts are peculiar, and some of the questions they pose for empirical investigation are peculiar too.
Gist of Idea
Researching phenomenal consciousness is peculiar, because the concepts involved are peculiar
Source
David Papineau (Thinking about Consciousness [2002], 7.01)
Book Reference
Papineau,David: 'Thinking about Consciousness' [OUP 2004], p.176
A Reaction
This arises from Papineau's Conceptual Dualism, that our concepts are deeply dualist, when the underlying ontology is not. Brain researchers are wise to ignore phenomenology, and creep slowly forward from the physical end, where the concepts are clear.