methodology
METHODOLOGY
To meet the challenges of this study, a qualitative research strategy was designed, based on multisited observation using a "snowball" sampling method, allowing both participants and facilitators to be identified.
This approach seems to us to be the most appropriate for two main reasons.
- Firstly, this is an unknown reality, invisible and not very accessible to the outside world, which needs to be approached with special methodological care, given its normatively alternative or transgressive nature.
- Secondly, the contexts, groups and practices are dispersed, so they must be approached in different contexts, following a selection process to filter out their relevance to each type of case study.
CASE STUDIES
In concrete terms, in addition to exploratory observation and the collection of documentary information, this project is based on the observation of two types of case studies:
- Practices, groups and contexts that use SP with an explicit spiritual orientation (e.g., ceremonies, retreats or events with PS), outside of religious or other organized movements;
- Practices, groups and contexts that use SP without an explicit spiritual orientation (e.g. private meetings, informal gatherings or parties), but where a spiritual component may underlie the intentions of the participants and the imagery present.
INTERVIEWS AND ANALYSIS
In addition to observation, the main method of data collection is based on in-depth interviews, following a semi-structured script, with participants, facilitators and experts on the topic of PS - in the latter case, with the aim of exploring the ethical and legal aspects mentioned. The interviews provide access to discourses and justifications, allowing us to reconstruct trajectories and narratives.
The data collected will be analyzed in an integrated way, following a diverse and flexible set of qualitative methods, taking into account the nature of the information and materials obtained at each stage of the project.
PRACTICAL AND ETHICAL CHALLENGES
Given the nature of the practices in question, all data collection and analysis methods will be subject to additional care, namely in the way participants are approached, presenting the research objectives and requesting their involvement - including informed consent -, in the way information will be recorded and disseminated, but also in negotiating access to contexts and observation of events, fully respecting confidentiality, privacy and anonymity requirements and applicable legal standards.
This project has been approved by the NOVA FCSH Ethics Committee.
