Expanding the debate : A comparative exploration of physical and spiritual ways of knowing, methods and measures

Abstract

Purpose

The current exploration and inclusion of spirituality across disciplines has, up to this point, focused largely on defining spirituality and creating practice and assessment tools. Little has been done in building the foundational structures at the level of paradigm, theory, methods, measures and research methodology. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a section of findings resulting from a comprehensive qualitative research program using the process of meta-triangulation, which explored spiritual perspectives from paradigm to practice.

Findings

The results of this research begin to address gaps at these levels through the articulation of spiritual ways of knowing and the methods and measures that stem from them. Once articulated, it was possible to explore the parallels and differences between spiritual and physical ways of knowing, their methods and measures.

Originality/value

It is acknowledged that such research may be resisted by some factions as they attempt to maintain positions of power and privilege. Thus, this paper presents the research within this contested and turbulent landscape.

Citation

M. Carrington, A. (2014), "Expanding the debate : A comparative exploration of physical and spiritual ways of knowing, methods and measures", Qualitative Research Journal, Vol. 14 No. 2, pp. 179-196. https://doi.org/10.1108/QRJ-08-2013-0049