Description:
The Institute for Culture and Society (ICS) at the University of Navarra seeks candidates interested in contributing to the research project funded by the John Templeton Foundation, title “Psychological Perspectives on Divine Forgiveness: A Mixed Method Study of Confession Among Spanish-Speaking Catholics”. This project is part of a bigger study (https://www.divine- forgiveness.org). The (ICS) of the University of Navarra will offer a 21-month contract to research assistants or postdoctoral researchers who wish to conduct a research stay at the Institute. ICS is a highly interdisciplinary humanities and social science research center.
Main research project:
Catholic individuals seek divine forgiveness (DF) through the ritual of confession, an interpersonal process involving not only the penitent (person seeking forgiveness) and the divine, but also the confessor (who is entitled to communicate absolution from sin and convey forgiveness on behalf of the divine). The interpersonal relationship with the confessor therefore has the added potential to either contribute to or inhibit experiencing DF and influence the processes of self-forgiveness (SF). This research project, directed by Martiño Rodríguez-González and María Calatrava at University of Navarra, will explore questions, including: What penitent variables (trait, situational, dispositional) influence the experience of DF through confession? Does the relationship with the confessor facilitate or hinder the experience of being forgiven by one’s self and God? How are DF and SF related in Spanish-speaking Catholic penitents following confession? Do DF and SF as facilitated through confession relate to well-being and flourishing?
This proposal applies the Fincham and May theoretical frame to understand the related processes between DF and SF in a unique sample of Catholic priests and penitents. Using a mixed methods research design, we propose to collect three data sources of penitents and confessors, including qualitative interviews and longitudinal and dyadic data. The research team comprises scholars around the globe with multidisciplinary backgrounds, including several Catholic priests, creating a strong interdisciplinary approach. In addition to journal articles, research reports and other scholarly products, the project intends to offer an online conference and practice guide to disseminate key findings to scholarly and practice audiences.
Responsibilities/Tasks
- To undertake collection of research data by questionnaire and interviews.
- To carry out administrative tasks associated with specified research projects, e.g. recruitment of participants, preparation of manuscripts for publication, organization of project meetings and documentation.
- To liaise directly with members of the research team at Navarra, Washington D.C., Oregon and Madrid; and attend meetings online.
- To attend meetings and conferences to disseminate research results
- To be available to participate in fieldwork as required by the specified research project.
- To travel to various locations in Spain to gather data from penitents and priests.
- Anonymize and code interview data
Data handling
- Review already transcribed interviews for accuracy and completeness
- Edit transcriptions as needed
- Prepare transcriptions for data analysis
- Code questionnaires and video footage and enter data into SPSS format.
- Manage data to ensure data integrity and ease of access to data for the principal and co-investigators.
- Data processing and qualitative data analysis (training will be received)
- Prepare study findings for presentation in study reports and publication in scientific journals
- Ensure that all work is undertaken and analysed in a timely manner and in line with the milestones and deliverables outlined by the principal investigator. Regular reporting of progress to the team.
Reporting
Candidate profile
Required: Bachelor’s Degree / Must be able to obtain a visa, if applicable
Preferred: Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Master’s Degree Candidate’s Skills
Required:
- Project planning, coordination, and/or management skills
- Experience and/or interest in researching in Psychology and Spirituality
- Good administrative skills, and strong written and verbal communication
- Ability to work under pressure and excellent time management skills
- Experience with Windows and/or Mac, including Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite
- Have a good level of spoken and written Spanish, and be able to understand written English.
- Knowledge of research qualitative methods
- Have a good level of spoken and written English
- Experience coordinating day-to-day logistics of projects (for example, academic research projects and/or projects in industry/commercial spaces)
Preferred:
Experience working with priests and Catholic populations
- Knowledge of research qualitative methods
- Have a good level of spoken and written English
- Experience coordinating day-to-day logistics of projects (for example, academic research projects and/or projects in industry/commercial spaces)
Experience working with priests and Catholic populations
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