{"id":3873,"date":"2018-09-09T16:23:17","date_gmt":"2018-09-09T21:23:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.navamsa.com\/?p=3873"},"modified":"2018-09-10T06:36:48","modified_gmt":"2018-09-10T11:36:48","slug":"webinar-review-qualitative-research-methods-for-astrologers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.navamsa.com\/?p=3873","title":{"rendered":"Webinar review: Qualitative Research Methods for Astrologers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Yesterday I \u00e2\u0080\u009cattended\u00e2\u0080\u009d a webinar offered by the Canaveral Research Center<\/strong><\/em> (home of the Kepler Conference) coordinated by Courtney Roberts and moderated by Glenn \u00e2\u0080\u009cMitch\u00e2\u0080\u009d Mitchell. The workshop featured Dr. Will Morris who, as \u00e2\u0080\u009cguest lecturer,\u00e2\u0080\u009d has an extensive background in academic research methods, as well as a comprehensive acquaintance with the full spectrum of major astrological systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Morris gave us a presentation on the principal research methods: case study, grounded theory, phenomenology, ethnography, historical research, narrative research, and action research. For a neophyte like me, this was an eye-opener regarding the range of different methodologies available. It was also thought-provoking in terms of tentative research topics and, more importantly, how to best approach them.<\/span><\/p>\n

There was an equally good discussion on mixed methods in research, using both quantitative and qualitative data, and the \u00e2\u0080\u009ctriangulation\u00e2\u0080\u009d process of using different data, investigators, theories, methods, and environments to achieve the most robust analysis of a subject.<\/span><\/p>\n

Aside from taking notes on the lecture material itself, throughout the webinar I was busy jotting down\u00c2\u00a0<\/span>fresh\u00c2\u00a0<\/span>ideas for research that some of these discussions inevitably sparked in my imagination.<\/span><\/p>\n

Four astrologer-researchers offered \u00e2\u0080\u009cworks in progress\u00e2\u0080\u009d on which Dr. Morris provided constructive criticism. David Perkins presented an analysis of musical trends over a century\u00e2\u0080\u0099s worth of Saturn cycles. Kyle Pierce discussed his concept of kindred births via recurring shared planetary patterns. Faith McInerney correlated Chiron and Pluto aspects to booms and busts in financial cycles. Russell Ohlhausen analysed astro-physiognomy via common elements in the charts of celebrities vs their \u00e2\u0080\u009cordinary\u00e2\u0080\u009d doppelgangers<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The presentations, feedback and discussions lasted almost three hours, providing great value for the price of admission, and much food for thought. Based on this experience, I\u00e2\u0080\u0099d encourage all budding astro-researchers to get on the CRC<\/a><\/strong> mailing list, and keep an eye out for future offerings.<\/span><\/p>\n

~~~<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Alan Annand (BA, BSc, DFAS, ACVA-II) is a graduate of the American College of Vedic Astrology and former tutor for the British Faculty of Astrological Studies. His recent research paper “Mercury Retrograde in Disasters” was published in the American Federation of Astrologers’ Research Journal Vol.18<\/em> this past summer. You can read his\u00c2\u00a0article<\/a><\/strong> here.<\/span><\/p>\n

Future speaking engagements:<\/p>\n