My questions are 1 is there a reliable method for research into spiritual activity such as an individual providing healing, or any other service? 2 is there a ‘happy medium’ pardon the pun, that’s acceptable?
Most research into spiritual belief leading to action, such as spiritual healing based on the belief in an energy that is benevolent and can be directed to heal an individual, is based on anecdotes or positive case studies. Problems of course arise from ignoring negative evidence, putting non-healing down to the will of the higher authority, and so on. I would like to do more than just describe or analyse what people believe is happening, while recognising reporting bias. Empirical science appears incompatible with inquiry into this area, since it is unable to acknowledge philosophical belief, while usual qualitative research approaches do not allow for generalisation to the wider population. I’ve looked at individual account narratives, case studies and research based on questionnaires but I don’t like them. They do not seem robust enough.
