Transpersonal Research Methods for the Social Sciences: Honoring Human ExperienceThere is no shortage of research methods that are easily applied to the study of everyday human experience. How, though, does one attempt to study extraordinary human experiences ultimate values and meanings, peak experiences, transcendence, and heightened awareness, among others? Authors William Braud and Rosemarie Anderson introduce a series of transpersonal research methods that are intended to help researchers develop new ways of knowing and methods of inquiry. While these methods will be of particular interest to researchers in transpersonal psychology, humanistic psychology, or transpersonal studies applied to traditional fields, the authors argue that these approaches with their emphasis on developing intuition, empathy, self-awareness can benefit anyone involved in the research enterprise. With its solid grounding in transpersonal studies and extensive coverage of qualitative approaches without ignoring quantitative approaches, Transpersonal Research Methods for the Social Sciences will be an invaluable addition to the libraries of researchers across many disciplines, as well as a supplement in research methods courses. |
Contents
Chapter 1 Conventional and Expanded Views of Research | 3 |
Chapter 2 A Preview of New Methods | 27 |
Expanded Methods of Disciplined Inquiry | 33 |
Complementary Ways of Knowing Being and Expression | 35 |
A Transpersonal Approach | 69 |
Philosophy Reflections and Recent Research | 95 |
Feminine Spirituality Meets Transpersonal Research | 114 |
The Reflexive Role of Exceptional Human Experience | 128 |
Further Extensions | 211 |
Chapter 11 An Expanded View of Validity | 213 |
Chapter 12 Additional Suggestions Ethical Considerations and Future Challenges | 238 |
Synopses of Five Transpersonal Approaches to Research | 256 |
Synopses of Six Related Research Approaches | 264 |
Synopses of 17 Conventional Methods of Disciplined Inquiry | 270 |
Centers for Transpersonal Studies | 284 |
References | 287 |
Applying the Principles Selected Examples | 147 |
Chapter 8 Alternative Ways of Knowing Encountering and Collecting Data | 151 |
Chapter 9 Alternative Ways of Working With Data Engaging and Confronting Data | 174 |
Chapter 10 Alternative Ways of Presenting Results Expressing and Communicating Findings | 192 |