An Organic Inquiry Primer for the Novice Researcher: A Sacred Approach to Disciplined Knowing [Paperback]

Deah Curry (Author), Steven J. Wells (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 21, 2006

Organic Inquiry is a transpersonal/feminist methodology that is exploratory and discovery oriented. It is especially well suited for investigating elusive topics, and following questions that take researchers into the unknown. In this book, a six principle model and a three part process standard for designing a research project are well defined, while a substantial chapter outlines how to evaluate knowledge claims using subjective, meta-verbal, extra-linear and more conventionally acquired data. In an easy to read and apply style, An Organic Inquiry Primer for the Novice Researcher explores new ground while honoring the importance of rigor in innovative, qualitative research.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Deah Curry PhD's mission is to help women's spirits dance with power and joy. In her in-person, email, and telephone counseling practice---InnerJourneyWork---she uses intuitive, shamanic, holistic approaches to catalyze deep-self awareness, courageous-self development, and revitalized-self healing. Steven J Wells's career includes producing events for a cutting-edge gay cultural arts collective, managing a rural food co-operative while homesteading on 40 acres (without a mule), and creating and directing a non-profit healing arts community center in Seattle, WA, where a wide range of transformative experiences were explored by diverse participants Selected works by this author: Healing Presence: Bodily Felt Experiencings of Transpersonal Connection in Naturopathic and … An Organic Inquiry Primer for the Novice Researcher: A Sacred Approach to Disciplined Knowing

Product Details

• Paperback: 134 pages
• Publisher: Infinity Publishing (April 21, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0741430789
• ISBN-13: 978-0741430786
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #844,668 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New Cover, Lower Price, Same Expertise, June 13, 2006

By 

Deah CurryPhD "Educator / Author / Psychologi... (The Pacific Northwest) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Organic Inquiry Primer for the Novice Researcher: A Sacred Approach to Disciplined Knowing (Paperback)

Since this book was originally published by the authors in 2003 in a spiral bound edition, it has been a hot seller among doctoral students seeking an innovative qualitative research methodology for the social sciences that calls on spiritual processes to be part of data gathering and analysis, and not just the topic of research.

Now, the authors have turned over the printing and order fulfillment chores to Infinity Publishing, and in the bargain this great textbook has a new, professionally designed cover, an extended bibliography, and the addition of a glossary of terms. Even better, it has a new, lower price!

Written for the research-novice and the research-phobic, the authors share their experience with this approach to exploratory and descriptive methodology. Source material is extended and grounded. All the steps that must be taken are explained in easy to understand language, from posing the research question, to special issues of concern Institutional Review Boards have about Organic Inquiry, to considerations for evaluating knowledge claims, and much more.

In addition, several data analysis methods are compared, and discussed for their alignment with the over arching principles and intentions of Organic Inquiry.

This is a reference work that is currently in use by students in schools from England to Hawaii, from Florida to Alaska, in the disciplines of psychology, human sciences, education and theology. It is one of the essential textbooks for several courses on Organic Inquiry.

As one of the authors of this book, I welcome questions from students using Organic Inquiry. Contact information is available on the copyright page.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Qualitative Research Method using Spirituality, August 25, 2007

By 

Steven J. Wells (Seattle WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Organic Inquiry Primer for the Novice Researcher: A Sacred Approach to Disciplined Knowing (Paperback)

Are you about to start work on your thesis or dissertation? Looking for a research method that is in alignment with your spiritual practices? Looking for something qualitative and innovative? So was Deah Curry. And after some investigation of her own she found a new research methodolgy called Organic Inquiry. Using this approach to research her question she was able to create a dissertation that became the most honored one in her class at the Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center. She also won an award for this research from the Americal Psychological Association.

I helped her write this dissertation as her research assistant and editor and after it was done we discussed the fact that we had further developed the method beyond the original creators' work and we thougt it would be a good idea to write a book describing what we did. So we created "An Organic Inquiry Primer for the Novice Research - A Sacred Approach to Disciplined Knowing", a textbook for those wishing to use this method themselves.

It's not just a textbook however. It's a guide into how one can access the spiritual aspects of research. It describes a unique process wherein the researcher interviews the subjects in a sacred manner, calling on whatever form of spiritual or energetic consciousness you are comfortable with. Even if you don't follow a spiritual path you can attune your energies in a way that aids you by listening to your intuition and using your breath to attain a serene state from which to do your work.

All the work is done in this energetic container, including the interviews and the analysis of data. And the data is the -- stories of the subjects themselves, collected in the interviews. This is a feminist and indigenous way of looking at the world, where a person's life story is the relevant information and the basis of the research data. This is a revolutionary way to include the subjects in the process. A group story -- what other methods might call generalized results -- then emerges. This Organic approach allows a variety of ways for researchers to work with data in a sacred manner and reach valid findings.

One of the principal tenets of the method is that there be tansformation in those who are in contact with the work - from the research subjects, to the researchers and extending to the readers of the finished work. This was an added bonus for us as we worked with the material and both Deah and I came away from the experience with a heightend state of awareness about healing and how it works in our own lives as well as the interviewees. It's also a fun way to do research, being very involving of parts of ourselves that may not get enough attention in our daily lives.

We think this is the new wave of qualitative approaches to research and would encourage you to consider the methodology and the book when you are ready to do your work. We are also available as advisers if you should need some assistance along the way. We can be contacted through www.LiminalRealities.com. We hope you enjoy the book!