Chaplains Investigate Their Practice presents a collaborative study that analyzes more than a hundred instances of care by chaplains in various fields of chaplaincy in the Netherlands. The research provides an answer to the question: What do chaplains do—why, and with what results? Part 1 describes the method of the project. Part 2 consists of nine exemplary case studies illustrative of the project but also suited to educational purposes. Part 3 explores themes that emerged in the case studies regarding rituals, aesthetic means, goal orientation, chaplain roles, and community. Part 4 presents the results of the study by identifying a basic repertoire of chaplaincy care; the values, and the body of knowledge that guide the care; and effects of the care on clients’ feelings, behavior, and worldview. A secondary study examines the influence that participating in the study has had on the practices of these chaplain-researchers. The detailed study provides chaplains, students, and other professionals with a clear picture of what chaplains do and their contributions to the well-being of clients. It provides teachers and researchers with rich materials and methodological perspectives for their work. "Walton, Körver, and den Toom elevate the genre of chaplaincy case studies to a new level through the innovative development of the Dutch Case Studies Project. Here they make the case for the advantages of a communal, methodologically rigorous, and standardized approach to case study research by 'showing' the fruits of their labor in nine exemplary cases and then by engaging in comparative, thematic analysis of those very case studies. Like master weavers respectful of the detailed materials before them, yet holding fast to their heuristic design, the editors shuttle between the rich narratives of their project participants to offer readers heretofore unpublished insights into chaplaincy identity and best practices." --M. Jeanne Wirpsa, co-editor of Chaplains as Partners in Medical Decision-Making: Case Studies in Healthcare Chaplaincy "The book Chaplains Investigate Their Practice is the mature fruit of a broad-based collaborative research project that provides a new starting point for future chaplaincy research. With its carefully developed case studies and in-depth chapters, this book stimulates reflection on the goals, methods, and quality characteristics of good spiritual care." --Simon Peng-Keller, professor for spiritual care, University of Zurich "If the cutting edge for professional chaplaincy is developing research that helps us understand and articulate the benefit of what we do, then this book is a welcome whetstone. In giving detailed attention to the craft and content of case studies, its editors are artisans honing our knowledge of the what, why, and to what effect of chaplaincy. For all who wish to see reflective, articulate, and confident chaplains it is an essential read." --Mark Newitt, secretary for healthcare chaplaincy, Free Churches Group Martin Walton is professor emeritus of spiritual care and chaplaincy studies at the Protestant Theological University, The Netherlands. Jacques Körver is (retired) associate professor of practical theology and chaplaincy studies at the Tilburg School of Catholic Theology and former director of the University Center for Chaplaincy Studies (UCGV), Netherlands. Niels den Toom is assistant professor in spiritual care and chaplaincy studies at Tilburg University, Tilburg, Netherlands, and chaplain in a nursing facility in Breda, Netherlands. His PhD thesis was published as The Chaplain Researcher (2022).