Research Literacy for Pastoral and Spiritual Carers (DP9035S)

Content

A world-wide evidence-based paradigm now informs the work of healthcare chaplains and multi-context pastoral and spiritual care providers. The practice of pastoral and spiritual care requires practitioners and educators to become research literate by demonstrating: (i) the ability to critically read and understand basic research in one’s discipline, and, if indicated, apply the findings of research studies to practice; (ii) a familiarity with the existing body of research in the discipline and important areas for future research, including within one’s own practice. This unit provides an introduction to research literacy by analysing and evaluating pastoral and spiritual care practice-related research; presenting critical summaries of selected studies; engaging with current research in Australian sectors relevant to their context; developing a research proposal with an integrated understanding of Human Research Ethics requirements.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

Prerequisite: 72 points with at least 48 points in DP studies.

This unit introduces students to research literacy in professional pastoral and spiritual care. There is a particular interest in understanding how people make meaning of their lived experience in this context. The unit can be taken within an academic award pathway or simply as part of a pastoral and spiritual carer’s professional development.

Pedagogy

Each day of the Intensive will use a similar format: (i) Lecture/small group discussion; (ii) critical review of research article followed by group discussion; (iii) Australian case study: engaging the researcher/research-team and evaluation. (ii) Post-Intensive: small group supervision of draft proposal for data collection and analysis.

Indicative Bibliography

• Anderson, R. (2003) Spiritual caregiving as secular sacrament: A practical theology for professional caregivers. London, Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
• Cobb, M., Puchalski, C.M., Rumbold, B. (2012) Oxford textbook of spirituality in healthcare. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Cook, C. Ed. (2013) Spirituality, theology and mental health: Interdisciplinary perspectives. London: SCM.
• Fitchett, G., White, K. B., & Lyndes, K. (Eds). (2018). Evidence-Based Healthcare Chaplaincy: A Research Reader. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
• Fitchett, G., & Nolan, S. (2015) Spiritual care in practice: Case studies in healthcare chaplaincy. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
• Koenig, H. (2011). Spirituality and health research: Methods, measurement, statistics, and resources. West Conshohocken, PA: Templeton Press.
• Matthews, P. (2018) Ethical questions in healthcare chaplaincy. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
• Pye, J., Sedgwick, P. & Todd, A. (2015) Critical care: Delivering spiritual care in healthcare settings. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
• Swift, C., Cobb, M. & Todd, A. (2015) A handbook of chaplaincy studies: Understanding spiritual care in public places. Farnham, Surrey: Ashgate.
• Swinton, J. & Mowat, H. (2006) Practical theology and qualitative research. London: SCM.

Assessment