Routledge Handbook of Research Methods in Spirituality and Contemplative Studies

The Routledge Handbook of Research Methods in Spirituality and Contemplative Studies provides the first authoritative overview of methodology in this growing field. Against the background of the pandemic and other global challenges, spirituality is expanding as an agreed term with which to discuss the efforts people make to be fully present to deeper, invisible dimensions of their personal identity and external reality, but until now there have been few resources exploring the different methodological approaches researchers take.

This book explores the primary methodologies emerging: First Person, Second Person, and Third Person, and provides a systematisation of spirituality research in applied contexts for the first time. Comprising 33 chapters by a team of international contributors, the book is divided into seven parts:

• Foundations
• Approaches to Contemplative Research
• Contemplative Research in Education
• Contemplative Research in Work and Leadership
• Contemplative Research in Science, Health, and Healing
• Contemplative Research in Social Sciences
• Contemplative Research and the Way Forward

The Handbook provides readers, practitioners, and policymakers with methods and approaches which can facilitate a spiritual and contemplative stance in research activities. It is an essential resource for researchers and students of Religion, Spirituality, and Research Methods.

Bernadette Flanagan leads the research group Spirituality in Society and the Professions (SpirSoP) at South East Technological University, Waterford Campus, Ireland. Her research covers such themes as indigeneity (Celtic), engaged spiritual practices, inner development goals for SDGs, and pilgrimage.

Kerri Clough is an Honorary Research Fellow and member of the Spirituality in Society and the Professions (SpirSoP) research group at South East Technological University, Waterford Campus, Ireland. She has researched across areas of public health, ageing, human health, well-being, and spirituality.