Operating From “Creative Silence”: Exploring Mindful Inquiry and Meditative Thematic Analysis in Social Science Research

• In Event: Saturday Roundtable Session 1:15 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Mindful Presences and Absences in Qualitative Methods and Methodologies (Table 25)

Abstract

Mindful reflectivity in qualitative research is a vital component of researcher-as-instrument. We wanted to understand how researchers embracing mindful and contemplative inquiries affected data construction and analyses. The purpose of this paper is to share how these orienting frameworks are influential to conducting research and enhancing traditional methodological techniques and approaches. We use datasets from previous studies to show our findings: contemplative and mindful inquiries led to deeper understandings of researcher-Self, increased awareness of interactions with participants, subconscious assumptions, and how these knowledge traditions influenced our methodological decisions. Finally, we posit the notion that a meditative state, coming from a space of creative silence (Zajonc, 2008), might enhance qualitative researchers’ abilities to interact with data collection and analysis more deeply.

Authors

• Megan K. Mitchell, Valdosta State University

• Steven Haberlin, University of Central Florida