Introduction

This book is about observing how the mind works during research and analysis, which is an important part of the contemplative endeavors of the mindful researcher. Maintaining a distance to the research fields, concepts, and methods can be mindfully observed and explicated. We try to trace how social researchers arrive at conclusions. What are their assumptions before analyzing “data” (data are also created when interacting with research participants)? What emotions are aroused in the process? The assumptions made before and during research say a lot about the mind of the qualitative researcher. They are theoretical and epistemological, but they also come from the lifeworld that we are immersed in and part of. The assumptions are embodied.

Observing and reconstructing the assumptions, together with the methods and thoughts about achieving objectivism, could be part of the contemplative attitude needed to understand how the qualitative social researcher tries to understand the outside world while being part of it. Contemplation could give insight into distinctive thinking, which is part of the mind of the scientist.