Study 1 Taking Off

Hi everyone! I am posting the updates on my research project on this site. Please feel free to share your ideas and thoughts about it here.

For a start, I am happy to inform you that Study 1 is now in the stage of data analysis. The research is composed of three components (qualitative, descriptive-correlational and case studies). Study 1 primarily deals with the examination of the conceptualizations of spirituality among college counselors and clients, and their attitudes towards integrating spirituality in counseling. I used semi-structured interviews to collect data.

Using CQR method to analyze the data, it is I am deeply humbled and honored that I was able to assemble a great research team for this purpose - Dr. Michael Clores, Dr. Diosdado San Antonio, and Dr. Ronald Elicay. Dr. Clores, Dr. San Antonio and I composes the the research team, while Dr. Elicay serves as the independent external auditor.

Dr. Clores is a graduate of Dela Salle University. His study "Diversity of Students' Beliefs about Biological Evolution" utlizing mixed methods was published in Asia Pacific Journal of Education - abstract available at the website:
http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a747650038~db=all~order=page

Meanwhile, Dr. San Antonio is a scholar in the field of educational management. His mixed methods dissertation,"Effective Participatory School Administration, Leadership, and Management (PSALM): Does It Affect The Trust Levels of Stakeholders?" in the University of Newcastle, Australia is recognized in Asia as pioneering in the field of participatory educational management. It was published in International Journal of Educational Management - his whole paper can be downloaded at:
http://search.newcastle.edu.au/search/index.jsp?QueryText=Constituencies&coll=www&site=

Finally, Dr. Elicay is head of the Chairperson of the Department of Psychology in Ateneo de Naga. I am not aware what his dissertation is, but all I know is that his doctoral degree was taken in University of the Philippines, graduating top of the class.

Thus, this research is indeed blessed with such great minds, with big hearts who are kind enough to join with me in this endeavor.

As of May 19, our initial findings evince that most respondents, in both the clusters of counselors and clients, define spirituality as "a personal relationship or belief in God." Likewise, it appears that majority of them are in favor of integrating spirituality in counseling. Most their reasons for favoring the said enterprise hinge on three categories. First, they believe that spirituality is integral to being human, thus by including it would make counseling holistic. Second, they assert that God is one great source of strenght that could help counselees cope with the negative events. Lastly, they explain that spirituality provides a buffer against bad influences and promotes moral development.

That is all for now. I will keep you updated. This is an open-source masteral thesis :-)