Developing a Spiritual Research Paradigm: A Groundbreaking Effort Incorporating Spirituality in Research in Social Sciences and Science

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

Research is a human endeavor focused on finding answers to our biggest questions. Considerable progress has been made in the breadth and depth of research paradigms that guide our efforts of knowledge creation. The field of research has expanded from a positivist and postpositivist paradigm that focuses on empirical experimentation to include interpretive and transformational paradigms that examine constructed realities and issues of social justice, human rights and cultural complexity. However, there is a lack of a paradigm that allows us to explore fundamental questions related to the development of spirituality in a systematic manner. A spiritual research paradigm requires a worldview that integrates mind, body, heart, soul and spirit. This panel will take the first step to develop such a research paradigm. This will be accomplished by bringing together accomplished researchers who are well versed in world spiritual traditions.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Spirituality & Education

Chair

• Jing Lin, University of Maryland - College Park

Papers

• Confucian Perspective - Jing Lin, University of Maryland - College Park

• Taoist Perspective - Dr. Tom E. Culham, The University of British Columbia

• Buddhist Perspective: Research, Martial Arts, and Zen - Heesoon Bai, Simon Fraser University; Avraham A. Cohen, City University of Seattle; Karen Fiorini, Simon Fraser University

• Islamic Perspective - Omar Qargha, University of Maryland - College Park

• Christian Perspective - Rebecca L. Oxford, Oxford Associates, Inc.

• Hindu Perspective: Considerations From Advaita Vedanta (Nonduality) in Understanding Intersubjectivity in Qualitative Inquiry - Edward J. Brantmeier, James Madison University