Doing Labyrinth Research
Research is systematic inquiry which includes investigation, experimentation, and analysis with the goal of increasing knowledge and understanding of a topic or of discovering new information.
Whether you’ve never done or participated in research or are an experienced researcher of multiple years, we welcome your involvement. Your area of interest may be health, education, spirituality, art, or another area, in all cases we invite you to join with us and other like-minded individuals as we build and share a research base documenting the effects of the labyrinth.
Photo by B Hartford J Strong (from his album “Labyrinth – solstice walk at Berkeley Marina” 2009)
A Foundation for Research
As a relatively new field, researchers developed resources to generate ideas for labyrinth research and help structure future labyrinth research efforts. John W. Rhodes offers a foundation and context for labyrinth research with his Basic Assumptions and Framework. For those new to research, or just new to labyrinths, we recommend starting here.
Tools For Research
A simple tool is the Labyrinth Walk Questionnaire. It can be used as is or adapted to your unique situation. The questionnaire is non-intrusive as participants are simply invited to complete the short questionnaire after they conclude a labyrinth experience. By including this questionnaire with your labyrinth events and sharing the results with TLS, you will be assisting The Labyrinth Society in its ongoing efforts to collect data about labyrinths and the experiences of those who walk or otherwise interact with them.
For larger projects, especially in academic settings and when seeking funding, you may need to create and present a formal Labyrinth Proposal. In many cases you will also be required to file with the local Institutional Review Board (IRB) before engaging in a research project. Templates are linked below and published examples will be included in future Research Bibliography updates.
TLS Research Committee may be able to assist researchers in finding and recruiting participants for Labyrinth research. After the Request for Research Participants form is submitted and accepted, an information link will be posted for the public on the TLS Website.
For More Information
If you are interested in finding out about labyrinth research, initiating a research project, learning more about any of these documents, or joining the Research Committee, please contact the Research Committee Chair.
Basic Assumptions of Labyrinth Research
The Basic Assumptions of Labyrinth Research were developed to provide a foundation for this area of inquiry and serve as springboard for thought and discussion. These basic assumptions relate to:
- Authenticity of the research to the labyrinth and labyrinth experiences,
- Intrusiveness of research on subjects’ labyrinth experiences, and
- Interpretation of research results, particularly with regard to predictability and generalizability.
Framework for Labyrinth Research
The Framework for Labyrinth Research was developed to provide a structure to serve as:
- A guide as different types of labyrinth research are identified and categorized
- An aid as types of labyrinth research that are needed are identified and appropriate research designs and methodologies are developed
- A catalyst for identifying types of labyrinth research that could be done
Labyrinth Walk Questionnaire and Instructions
The Labyrinth Walk Questionnaire and Instructions provide an easy way for individuals who facilitate labyrinth events to contribute to the field of labyrinth research. The questionnaire is non-intrusive; participants are simply invited to complete the short questionnaire after they conclude a labyrinth walk. For additional information about the questionnaire or for assistance with its use, contact [email protected]
The Labyrinth Proposal Template
The Labyrinth Proposal Template gives examples of the information typically required for labyrinth funding.
Resources are also included at the conclusion of the template.
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) Template
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) Template covers the types of frequently asked questions by those who are new to the IRB process to provide an idea of some of the areas that you need to consider before engaging in a research project.
Request for Research Participants
Researchers who are conducting Labyrinth research and would like to recruit participants in their study can submit the Request for Research Participants form to the Research Committee Chair
These resources are updated as additional material becomes available and is called to our attention, so please check back. If you find this information helpful, or if you know of other resources you would like to recommend, please e-mail the chair of the Research Committee.