Transformative research methods: Research to nourish the spirit

ABSTRACT

Over the last two decades, an important contribution from the field of transpersonal psychology to research is the development of transformative research methods by Rosemarie Anderson and the late William Braud. These methods invite researchers studying spiritual topics to bring their full humanity and personal creativity to the fore in the conduct of research, and to enact research as a journey of personal and cultural transformation. This article overviews the historical development of transformative research methods and details the unique characteristics and risks implicit in the methods. In closing, I encourage researchers in mainstream human science research and newly emerging fields, such as spiritual and contemplative studies, peace studies, and transformative leadership, to review their own understanding of research on spiritual topics in their unique fields.

KEYWORDS:

• Transformative research methods
• transpersonal psychology
• intuitive inquiry
• embodied writing

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes on contributor

Rosemarie Anderson, Ph.D., is Professor Emerita of Psychology at Sofia University USA, an author, and an Episcopal priest. Her initial training was in experimental psychology and behavior genetics. Since 1998, she has authored and co-authored numerous books and papers on transpersonal research, embodied writing, and intuitive inquiry. In 2017, she received the Abraham Maslow Heritage Award from Division 32, Society for Humanistic Psychology, of the American Psychological Association. Rosemarie lives in southern Oregon surrounded by wilderness and wildlife.