Heuristic Inquiry

Nevine Sultan is assistant professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. She is also a licensed professional counselor in private practice, specializing in complex trauma, dissociative disorders, and grief. Nevine embraces an embodied phenomenological approach to research, education, and counseling/psychotherapy to enhance awareness and intersubjectivity and to support the integration of living experience and the creation of meaning. She is especially passionate about the relationally shared experience between researcher and co-researchers, instructor and student, and therapist and client, and the impact of embodied awareness on empathic presence and creative resilience. Her recent publications can be found in the Journal of Humanistic Counseling and the Journal of Creativity in Mental Health. She currently teaches graduate courses on human diversity; counseling theories; human growth and development; addictions and recovery; ethical, legal, and professional issues in counseling; and social justice. She is an avid meditator and creative writer.

Preface Acknowledgments About the Author Chapter 1: What Is Heuristic Inquiry, Anyway? A Brief Recent History The Purpose of Heuristic Inquiry Essential Feature * Exercise 1.1. Sensing Into and Expressing a Rough Understanding of Heuristic Inquiry Processes and Phases Limitations of Heuristic Inquiry Closing Reflections Chapter 2: Locating Heuristic Inquiry Within Contemporary Qualitative Research Relationship to Phenomenology Bricolaging with Similar Qualitative Approaches Grounded Theory Essential and Distinguishing Features Bricolaging Grounded Theory With Heuristic Inquiry Narrative Research Essential and Distinguishing Features Bricolaging Narrative Research With Heuristic Inquiry Feminist Research Essential and Distinguishing Features Bricolaging Feminist Research With Heuristic Inquiry Closing Reflections * Exercise 2.1. Exploring the Labyrinth Chapter 3: Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations of Heuristic Inquiry Why Do We Learn About Theory? Heuristic Inquiry as an Empirical Process * Exercise 3.1. Exploring the Subjectivity8Objectivity Continuum Heuristic Inquiry as Qualitative Research Heuristic Inquiry as Social Constructivism Ontological Assumptions Epistemological Assumptions Axiological Assumptions Methodological Assumptions Rhetorical Assumptions Heuristic Inquiry as "Phenomenologically Aligned" Philosophers Whose Work Inspired Heuristic Inquiry Edmund Husserl Martin Buber Carl Rogers Abraham Maslow Michael Polanyi Eugene Gendlin Maurice Merleau-Ponty Closing Reflections * Exercise 3.2. Exploring Other Ways of Being and of Knowing Chapter 4: Heuristic Processes and Phases The Seven Processes of Heuristic Inquiry Identifying With the Focus of Inquiry * Exercise 4.1. An Empty Chair Experiment to Facilitate Identifying With the Focus of Inquiry Self-Dialogue Tacit Knowing Intuition Indwelling Focusing The Internal Frame of Reference * Exercise 4.2. Six-Step Focusing Exercise to Clear an Inner Space The Six Phases of Heuristic Inquiry Initial Engagement Immersion Incubation Illumination Explication Creative Synthesis The Heuristic Phases in Action Maintaining a Heuristic Attitude During the Research Journey * Exercise 4.3. Needs Self-Assessment Exercise Closing Reflections Chapter 5: Heuristic Research Design Becoming Aware of a Topic and Formulating the Research Question(s) Conducting the Literature Review Timing Your Literature Review Reviewing the Literature Preparing for the Study Writing a Heuristic-Friendly IRB Proposal Creating a Set of Guidelines for the Study Creating Generic Content and Forms Selecting, Inviting, and Securing Co-Researchers General Sampling Considerations Sample Size Building Rapport and Trust Closing Reflections Chapter 6: Heuristic Data Collection, Organization, and Analysis Data Collection Interviews Preparing for the Interviews Embodied Relational Interviewing Disruptions in Flow Time and Structure Considerations Where and How Researcher and Co-Researcher Artifacts Researcher Journals Winding Down Data Collection Data Organization and Management Immersion8Incubation8Reflexivity Creating Verbatim Transcripts Data Analysis: Theme Illumination and Identification Following Clear Procedures Honoring Content and Context Deciphering Potential Themes Organizing Themes According to Research Questions Maintaining Discipline Data Analysis: Theme Explication Individual Depictions Composite Depictions Exemplary Portraits Creative Synthesis Closing Reflections Chapter 7: Relationality, Reflexivity, and Meaning-Making Relationality Shared Experiential Learning Connecting, Disconnecting, and Reconnecting Empathy, Resonance, and Intersubjectivity Honoring Difference and Conflict Negotiating Power and Privilege Advancing Empowerment, Agency, and Social Justice Reflexivity Approaching Reflexivity Holistically Evaluating Values, Beliefs, Biases, and Attitudes * Exercise 7.1. Exploring Our Own and Others' Values Locating Oneself Within the Research Process Demystifying the Role of the Researcher Using the Journal as a Reflexive Tool Meaning-Making * Exercise 7.2. Exploring a Personal Dilemma Using the Reflexive Journal Closing Reflections Chapter 8: Evaluating the Research: A Collaborative Process A Primer on Heuristic Evaluation Defining Rigor and Trustworthiness/Goodness Evaluation Criteria Credibility Transferability Dependability Confirmability Evaluation Strategies Evaluating the Integrity of Your Heuristic Study Heuristic Evaluation as a Shared Experience The Importance of Reflexive Leadership in Evaluation Closing Reflections Chapter 9: Writing a Living Manuscript: An Embodied Relational Approach Components of a Heuristic Manuscript Title Abstract Keywords Introduction and Clear Articulation of Topic and Research Questions Theoretical Framework Rationale for the Study Comprehensive but Concise Literature Review Method Co-Researchers Materials and Procedure Data Collection and Analysis Findings Discussion Limitations Conclusions and Future Directions Embodied Relational Writing: Balancing Rigor With Intriguing Writing Style * Exercise 9.1. Experimenting With Embodied Relational Writing Promoting Social Justice, Action, and Transformation Writing a Publishable Heuristic Manuscript Closing Reflections Chapter 10: Ethics of Heuristic Research Understanding Ethics Core Ethical Principles and Codes Facets of a Heuristic Study That May Prompt Ethical Concerns Informed Consent Research Methodology and Design Relational Boundaries With Co-Researchers Transparency Researcher Competence Addressing Emergent Ethical Dilemmas Consulting Discipline-Related Ethical Codes Using an Ethical Decision-Making Model Engaging Researcher Reflexivity * Exercise 10.1. Exploring and Addressing Emergent Ethical Dilemmas in Heuristic Research The Perils of Researching Sensitive Topics: Maintaining Researcher Well-Being Closing Reflections Chapter 11: Universal Applications of Heuristic Inquiry: Bridging Research and Living Experience Using Heuristic Inquiry Formally in Various Disciplines Education Political Science and Government Health Care Conflict Transformation Counseling and Psychotherapy Engaging Heuristic Inquiry Informally Closing Reflections Chapter 12: An Ending8Beginning Appendices Appendix A: Sample Cover/Invitation Letter Appendix B: Sample Demographic Information Form Appendix C: Sample Informed Consent Form Appendix D: Sample Instructions for Interview Meeting Appendix E: Sample Semi-Structured Interview Protocol Appendix F: Sample Semi-Structured Interview Protocol With Examples Appendix G: Preparing for and Recording Interviews (Sample) Appendix H: Open-Ended Relational Probing and Prompting Glossary References Index

"Heuristic Inquiry presents a valuable introduction to heuristic inquiry that is at the same time sophisticated and accessible. This is a valuable resource for those seeking to explore lived experience in a rigorous and reflexive way. It addresses a significant gap by presenting a refreshing, easy to follow introduction to this methodological approach, without compromising in rigor and sophistication." -- Gerardo Blanco Ramirez "This text creatively integrates research methods, therapeutic processes and the arts all in an insightful exploration of the human condition. It invites readers to reflect, meditate and think deeply about how to internalize the heuristic research process in order to uncover the truth of people's living experiences. Consequently, heuristic research opens our minds to new realms and possibilities for human inquiry." -- Claire Michele Rice "This text provides a valuable service to novice and experienced researchers through its straightforward, yet complex and nuanced approach to heuristic inquiry." -- Joseph McNabb "This book offers a comprehensive overview of heuristic inquiry and provides an engaging, focused discussion of the methodological issues involved throughout all phases of the research process. Sultan provides an accessible and comprehensive guide for those designing and conducting heuristic inquiries." -- Angela Eckhoff "Nevine Sultan has produced a work of remarkable depth, richness and vitality. Drawing on her own research, Sultan speaks with authenticity, clarity and rigor regarding the challenges and rewards of getting to grips with phenomena through co-creative processes. This text fills the long methodological void that has haunted the field since Moustakas' Heuristic Research. A must-read for anyone interested in qualitative research." -- Graham Bright