A badly dressed emperor? Research on spirituality in the social sciences, an analysis of methodological approaches
Abstract
Context: The present review is based on the context of the encounter/meeting of spirituality and social sciences. Purpose: The study aims to answer the question: What thematic units emerge in the contemporary social science literature in relation to applied research methods in the study of spirituality? Methods.
Of the original 139 texts that met the criteria, 32 essays were included in the review after screening abstracts and full texts. These were analysed in terms of thematic units that can be identified in terms of applied research methods.
Conclusions. The data show that spirituality is not understood by all as an analytical concept, mainly due to the non-specificity and vagueness of the concept.
Other identified themes also follow from this consideration. Implication: the findings can be used as an initial orientation for those researchers who decide to explore the topic of spirituality.
For practicing helping professionals, it can then offer a basic interpretive framework to texts that address spirituality within the helping professions.