About the compassion project
The compassion project is the working name for my dissertation research study. My dissertation research interests center around compassion. Compassion can mean different things to different people, therefore the experience of compassion can be vast and varied amongst individuals. My interest in compassion stems from research studies that show a statistically significant decline in empathy, which may be related to a variety of factors. The psychological implications of these research studies are too complex for me to discuss in this blog post, but compassion may be one of the casualties. I am particularly interested in how individuals who practice Vipassana or insight meditation experience compassion. My dissertation research study investigates the experience of compassion from the perspective of individuals who practice Vipassana or insight meditation.
Although my academic and non-yoga teacher employment is firmly rooted in quantitative science, I am choosing to use qualitative research methodology. Primarily, this is because the research question is best suited for a qualitative investigation. However, I am also interested in presenting the narratives of individuals. I am interested in the story behind the numbers. I want to study the experience so that I may gain a deeper understanding of the phenomenon. In this case, the phenomenon is compassion. In order to effectively do this, I will not be participating in any Dharma talks or meditation sits at either the insight meditation center or universalist church. This is so I can be as open as possible, without preconceived notions of Vipassana meditation, to the experience as described by Vipassana meditators.
This dissertation research study (#2014-365) was approved by the Internal Review Board (IRB) at Capella University in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 3.28.2014. IRBs are essentially ethics committees dedicated to protecting the rights of those involved in human subjects research. The history of IRBs, and human subjects research is a complex and fascinating one. There are a number of excellent resources available, and if interested, a good place to start is with website for
The Office for Human Subjects Research.
Participating in the compassion project
Participating in this research study is entirely voluntary, and as such, you are under no obligation to participate! There is no financial compensation to participate in this study. The information that participants provide will be used to hopefully help researchers in the field of psychology gain a better understanding of compassion.
Eligibility
If you are: aged 18-83 years, and have been practicing Vipassana meditation daily for one year, and
you are not: a therapist, psychotherapist, psychiatrist, or you haven't taken a course in compassion, then you are eligible to participate.
Participation / what's involved
There will be between 8-14 participants in this study. Participants will be interviewed one time only. There are approximately 7 interview questions which are designed to learn more about an individual's experience of compassion from their perspective as an individual who practices Vipassana meditation. Interviews shouldn't take more than an hour, and interviews are scheduled for a time most convenient for the participant. Interviews will take place either via Skype, or at the SF Public Library, or Redwood City Public Library.
Participants may terminate the interview if they're uncomfortable or decide they no longer want to participate in the study. Although interviews will be audio recorded, all information and correspondence will remain confidential.
If participants are eligible and would like to participate
1. please call or text 415-589-1884, or email thecompassionproject13@yahoo.com
2. we will arrange a time for the interview either via Skype, or in-person at the library
3. an informed consent form will be emailed or mailed to the participant (if mailed, a return stamped envelope will be included at no cost to the participant)
4. the informed consent form must be signed. If the interview is to be conducted over Skype, participants may either scan their signed form, or they can take a photograph of it and email it in.
