Religion and Society: Research Process and Methods

Theo 5325M

THIS MATERIAL CAN BE REQUESTED IN BRAILLE, LARGE PRINT AND ON AUDIO TAPE. PLEASE CONTACT THE SCHOOL OFFICE.

Module Leader:Dr Mel Prideaux

Email:

Telephone:0113 343 0461

Office Hours: I am usually available to see students in my office (G02) Monday 10-11, and Thursday 10-11, and at other pre-arranged times..

Aims and Objectives

On completion of this module, students should have be aware of the nature of the research process, the role and standpoint of the researcher, the impact of ethical, political and gender issues, the relationship between theory and method, and the interdisciplinary and polymethodic nature of the study of religions/theology. You will have a general knowledge of a variety of approaches and methods appropriate for the study of religion and society: e.g. sociological, theological, anthropological, phenomenological, and geographical approaches; use of historical, theological and official documents, participant observation, interviewing and oral history, questionnaires etc. You will have employed two or more of these in a short project of your own choice, and will be equipped to embark on a longer, independent but supervised project on an aspect or issue related to religion and society or religion/theology and public life.

The following subjects will be covered in lectures, seminars and private reading.

Religion and society: research opportunities;
The research process (social science and humanities perspectives); theory and method;
The research process (developing research questions, identifying appropriate methods, analysis of data and the writing up of research).
Methodological approaches and interdisciplinarity in the study of religions/theology;
Qualitative and quantitative research methods, including the use and interpretation of historical, theological, official, and Internet resources, interviews, participant observation, questionnaires, mapping, and visual/material culture;
Objectivity, subjectivity and reflexivity; the politics and ethics of research;

Teaching: 10 two hourseminars and individual tutorials

Please check your online timetable for seminar dates, times and locations.

The seminars will comprise a variety of teaching and learning methods, including short lectures, student presentations (on reading and reports of fieldwork), group work, posters, debate and discussion. We will also discuss various types of data during the course of the module, such as statistics, interview accounts, ephemera, photographs, maps, texts and items of material culture.

As you will see from the objectives and syllabus (below), the module is designed to impart information about and to enable practice in a variety of methods of empirical study from relevant disciplines; to introduce appropriate methodological issues, both generic and specific to the study of religions; to raise questions (e.g. about the relationship of theory and methods, on the politics and ethics of human research); and to revise or introduce various transferable skills such as speaking to a small group, working in a group, summarising information from a variety of sources, relating theoretical issues and/or theological perspectives to particular empirical cases and vice versa, arguing a case, collecting and analysing data, poster presentation, and writing up of research.

Primary Texts

Although other texts will be valuable, the book which you should buy, or borrow for the length of the

course, is:

Bryman, A. (2008) Social Research Methods. Third edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

A key web resource is ‘Research Methods for the Study of Religions’,

Attendance

There are tentwo-hour sessions, plus individual tutorials to discuss project topics and drafts. Attendance at all seminars is required unless I have been notified in advance or am informed on the day (of illness etc). You will know from your own experience how fragile the dynamics of a small group can be, and poor attendance can have a very damaging effect.

Private Study

A 30 credit M level module is deemed to require 300 hours of work, about 275 of which will be for private study. You will need to spend about 5-7 hours preparing for each session (after week 1), with about 50 hours for further reading for the module. This will leave you about 155 hours for planning, researching and writing up your project. You will need to spend time each week reading for the seminar (designated reading, plus any additional reading you may wish to do). For many of the sessions a fieldwork exercise will be set. The additional hours should be used for identifying your essay topic, undertaking research as required (using fieldwork, interviewing, visiting libraries and archives, reading primary and secondary materials etc), analysing data, planning and writing your essay.

Blackboard/VLE

The Blackboard virtual learning environment (VLE) for this module is a valuable course component. As well as copies of the Handbook and other departmental materials, there will also be other important resources. These include:

Lecture powerpoint slides
Information on risk assessment and health and safety for fieldwork
Information on ethical approval for fieldwork
Links to useful websites

If you are not confident, or experience any difficulties in using the VLE please speak to me immediately.

Assessment

A 6000 word research project, to include the following:

an introduction to the project and the contents of the report;
identification of the research question and objectives of the research;
discussion of the research question and objectives in the broader context of relevant literature, theory and methodology;
an account and justification of the research methods selected (nb. two methods must be used);
a discussion of the application of the methods and any issues of standpoint, ethics etc;
presentation of results or findings and brief analysis;
an evaluation of the process (the strengths and weaknesses of the methods for an examination of the research question and objectives);
conclusions on the project as a whole
copy of your poster to be bound in at the back of the project.

Possible general topic areas might include the following (though you would need to formulate a more specific question or hypothesis):

Religion and secularisation; religion and the family; trends within a particular religious community, congregation or group; recent government (national or local) responses to issues of religion (e.g. religious discrimination, religion and regeneration, religious literacy and citizenship); religious responses to war; interfaith activity; religion and terrorism; anti-religious atheism or secularism; multiculturalism; religion and sexuality; gender issues and religion; religion and the democratic process; the engagement between religious groups; auditing religious communities; religion in education; religion in healthcare; chaplaincy; religious responses to ethical issues; theological critiques/responses to any of these topics.

Although most of these issues have a contemporary relevance, you are not obliged to study a current issue. Many of these topics are of historical interest as well, or you may choose a different issue in the general area of religion and society.

The deadline for submission is January 18th

Subjects of projects must be agreed with the module tutor by end November, and shall be presented in a poster presentation in the last few weeks of teaching. Please see the PG noticeboard for details of submission, extensions etc. Your Code of Assessment for Taught Postgraduate Students and Taught Student Handbook should provide any further information you need.

Please don’t forget that you are required to sign a statement of academic integrity declaring the work to be your own. Make use of the referencing guidelines (Regulations forthe referencing of essays and dissertations; these can be found in your Code of Assessment and in the School information in the virtual learning environment, Blackboard) to indicate the source of the ideas and information you use, and – it goes without saying – please be especially careful when using material from the Internet. Provide details of the source (website etc) and the date you accessed the material.

Course at a Glance

Week
1 / Part 1: Introduction to the course and to one another (Group work activity)
Part 2: The context for research in the humanities and social sciences
2 / Part 1: The Research Process: Stages and Issues
Part 2: Objectivity, subjectivity, reflexivity and research on religion
3 / Part 1: The Literature Review (with staff from the library)
Part 2: Conduct of Fieldwork – research ethics and risk assessment
4 / Part 1: Method and Methodology
Part 2: Key Methodological Approaches
5 / Part 1: Interviewing and Oral History
Part 2: Ethnography and Participant Observation
6 / Part 1: Working closely with religious texts
Part 2: Documentary Methods and the Study of Religions
7 / Part 1: Quantitative Methods
Part 2: Guided workshop on project development
8 / Reading Week – individual tutorials to discuss proposed project
9 / Part 1: Introduction to poster presentations
Part 2: Guided workshop on poster preparation
10 / Poster presentations and discussions of student research projects
11 / Part 1: Study of Religions reflection
Part 2: The Final Stages of the Research Process

Deadline for submissions of draft research projects for feedback: Friday 14th December. Projects will be returned as soon as possible after this date.
COURSE OUTLINE

This course outline provides a more detailed view of the content for each week, and the preparation you need to do in advance of the session. Required preparation will be discussed in the preceding seminar, with the exception, clearly, of seminar 1.Additional preparatory materials will be posted onto the VLE regularly, so it is vital that you make weekly use of it.

Week 1

Part 1: Introduction to the course and to one another.

Part 2: The context for research in the humanities and social sciences

In the second part of the seminar we will look at some examples of research from our own department, and discuss our own interests and (possibly) previous experience.

Preparation:

(a)Read the Module Handbook.

(b)Read Bryman chapter 1 on research strategies which discusses general perspectives on social research and the relationship between theory and research.

Which key research issues identified in these websites do you find most appealing? Which research methods attract you?

Week 2

Part 1: The Research Process: Stages and Issues

In this seminar we will look at a variety of possible models for the research process and identify their strengths and weaknesses. We will use a group work activity to discuss and plan your projects, and to begin to identify appropriate methods. We will use a constructive critical approach to ensure manageability, effectiveness, and the fit between theory, methods and research questions.

Part 2: Objectivity, subjectivity, reflexivity and research on religion

A lecture on objectivity, subjectivity, reflexivity and research on religion followed by a seminar in which we will discuss reading and responses on insider/outsider issues; standpoint and values.

Preparation:

(a)Use the handout available on VLE to note some initial ideas for your research project.

(b)Read Bryman chapter 3 on planning a research project.

(c)Read Chapter 3 ‘Thinking about methods’ in Blaxter, L. et al (1996) How to Research. Buckingham: OpenUniversity Press. (available as an electronic book via the University library website). This will give you an overview of a range of research methods and help you to think about which might be relevant for researching the research topics you have identified.

(d)Go to the Brotherton library and look at the section Sociology A-2 in which books on research methods are housed (popular texts will be under the same section in the Edward Boyle).

(e)Read: K Knott, ‘Insider/outsider perspectives and the study of religion’, in J Hinnells (ed) A Routledge Companion to the Study of Religions (available on the VLE)

(f)Read: D J Hufford, ‘The scholarly voice and the personal voice: reflexivity in belief studies’ in R T McCutcheon, ed, The Insider/Outsider Problem in the Study of Religion and available online via the library website in Western Folklore, 54 (1995).

(g)Consider your own standpoint, values and beliefs in relation to your potential research topic.

(h)For further reading, see also McCutcheon, ed., The Insider/Outsider Problem, Arweck and Stringer (eds), Theorising Faith: The Insider/Outsider Problem in the Study of Ritual.

Week 3

Part 1: The Literature Review

The literature review – selecting materials, understanding the field, working with other people’s scholarship. Discussion exercise on initial “bibliography” for your research project.

Part 2: Conduct of fieldwork – research ethics and risk assessment

An introduction to key issues surrounding ethics in fieldwork and risk assessment. Review of the departmental fieldwork guide for students.

Preparation:

(a)Reflecting on the ideas you discussed last week about your research project, make an initial list of 5-10 items of relevant literature (books, articles, reports, websites etc) which you could use. You do not have to have read the items in full – bring the list for discussion in the seminar.

(b)Look at the University of Leeds Library guidelines, ‘what is a literature review?’,

(d)You could also look at: ‘Writing a literature review’, guidelines from the Newcastle University, Machi and McEvoy, The Literature Review: Six Steps to Success (2009)Ridley, The Literature Review: A step by step guide for students (2008).

(e)Browse the journals in the Theology section of the Brotherton library (A-0.01) and via electronic access through the library catalogue.

(f)In the light of this reading, think about your preliminary answers to the discussion questions (see handout).

(g)Read the information contained in the ‘Fieldwork Resources’ section on the VLE.

Week 4

Part 1: Method and Methodology

An introduction to some of the methodological approaches available in the study of religions. Followed by a brief reflection on some of the debates surrounding methodology in the study of religions.

Part 2: Key Methodological Approaches

Presentations by group members on some of the key methodological approaches available using a specific case study.

Preparation:

Either alone or in pairs, prepare a five minute presentation using the guidance sheet available on the VLE. The standpoint you are to focus on will be decided during week 3 seminar and will include:

sociology of religion, history of religions, phenomenology of religion, theology, anthropology of religion, geography of religion, philosophy of religion

Useful books are John Hinnells (ed), A Routledge Companion to the Study of Religions, second edition, Seth Kunin, Religion: the Modern Theories, and James Cox, A Guide to the Phenomenology of Religion. The Encyclopedia of Religion has entries n different methodological approaches.

Week 5

Part 1: Interviewing and Oral History

A lecture on interviewing and oral history followed by a workshop based on the preparatory fieldwork exercise.

Part 2: Ethnography and Participant Observation

A lecture on ethnography in religion followed by a workshop on the use of ethnography and participant observation based on the second preparatory fieldwork exercise.

Preparation:

(a)Read Bryman, Social Research Methods, chapters 18 and 19 on interviewing and focus groups in qualitative research and chapter 17 on participant observation

(b)Complete the two fieldwork exercises available on the VLE

(c)Browse oral history websites, e.g. Reflect on the ways in which oral history could be utilised in studies of religion.

Week 6

Part 1: Working closely with religious texts (with Dr Rachel Muers)

A workshop and discussion on working with religious texts and theological method.

Part 2: Documentary Methods and the Study of Religions

Workshop on the use of documentary methods for the study of religions (e.g. historical, official, Internet, media, literary, visual).

Preparation:

(a)Complete the two preparation activities, one on religious texts and one on working with newspapers, available on the VLE.

(b)Read Bryman, Social Research Methods, chapter 21 on ‘Documents as sources of data’, chapter 12, ‘Content analysis’, and chapter 13 on official statistics.

Week 7

Part 1: Quantitative Methods (nb. This session will take pale in a computer cluster)

An interactive session learning to use ‘Survey Monkey’ and thinking about the use of qualitative methods in

the study of religions.

Part 2: Guided Workshop on Project Development

Reflecting on the module to date this session will help you to think about your evolving research project and

identify next steps.

Preparation:

(a)Read Bryman, Social Research Methods, chapters 6, 8, 9, 10 on quantitative methods.

(b)Browse the Survey Monkey website, particularly the ‘take a tour’ area, and assess the potential uses of such a tool (

(c)Visit the British Religion in Numbers website - Consider ways in which this material may benefit your research project,. Are there any problems you can identify with this resource?

(d)Review your progress on your research project. Come to the session prepared to describe what you have achieved so far, difficulties you have identified, and your next steps.

Week 8

Reading Week

Meetings with the module tutor will be held this week to finalise plans for projects.

You must arrange a tutorial either during the usual seminar time or at another appropriate tie during the week. You should bring to this meeting your research plans to date, any work you have already written up, and a list of questions and issues for discussion.

Week 9

Part 1: Introduction to Poster Presentations

A brief introduction and discussion of poster presentations with examples.

Part 2: Guided workshop on poster presentations

In this session you will work with others to develop your poster

Preparation:

(a)Read handout available on VLE about poster presentations.

(b)Read the guidance on poster presentations available on the following websites:

Week 10

Poster presentations and discussions of students research projects

Student poster presentations and discussion of projects.