Theology & Religious Studies
SCHOOL OF PHILOSOPHY, RELIGION AND HISTORY OF
SCIENCE
Religion and Society: Research
Process and Methods
Theo 5325M
Handbook 2012-2013
Religion and Society: Research Process and Methods
THIS MATERIAL CAN BE REQUESTED IN BRAILLE, LARGE PRINT AND ON AUDIO TAPE. PLEASE CONTACT THE
SCHOOL OFFICE.
Module Leader:
Email:
Telephone:
Office Hours:
Dr Mel Prideaux
m.j.prideaux@leeds.ac.uk
0113 343 0461
I am usually available to see students in my office (G02) Monday 10-11, and Thursday
10-11, and at other pre-arranged times..
Welcome to THEO 5325M
This is a core module for the MA in Religion and Public Life and the MA in Theology and Public Life, and an
optional module for other MA programmes offered in the School of Theology and Religious Studies. It may
also be taken as an elective by MA students taking programmes outside the department. Research students
in the department may also be required to audit it.
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.
1. Religion and society: research opportunities;
2. The research process (social science and humanities perspectives); theory and method;
3. The research process (developing research questions, identifying appropriate methods, analysis of data
and the writing up of research).
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Religion and Society: Research Process and Methods
4. Methodological approaches and interdisciplinarity in the study of religions/theology;
5. 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;
6. Objectivity, subjectivity and reflexivity; the politics and ethics of research;
Teaching: 10 two hour seminars 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’,
http://www.kent.ac.uk/religionmethods/index.html.
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Religion and Society: Research Process and Methods
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.
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Religion and Society: Research Process and Methods
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
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Religion and Society: Research Process and Methods
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 for the 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.
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Religion and Society: Research Process and Methods
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 14 th December. Projects will be
returned as soon as possible after this date.
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Religion and Society: Research Process and Methods
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.
(c) Browse the following websites:
http://www.leeds.ac.uk//trs/research.htm
http://www.religionandsociety.org.uk/
http://www.kent.ac.uk/religionmethods/index.html
http://pewforum.org/
http://www.brin.ac.uk/
Which key research issues identified in these websites do you find most appealing? Which research methods
attract you?
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Religion and Society: Research Process and Methods
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:
Open University 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.
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Religion and Society: Research Process and Methods
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?’,
http://library.leeds.ac.uk/info/200117/design/214/what_is_a_literature_review
(c) Read ’Getting started: Reviewing the literature’ (Bryman, chapter 4)
(d) You could also look at: ‘Writing a literature review’, guidelines from the Newcastle University,
www.ncl.ac.uk/library/il_files/lit_rev07.doc, 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.
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Religion and Society: Research Process and Methods
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.
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Religion and Society: Research Process and Methods
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. http://www.rugbyleagueoralhistory.co.uk/,
http://www.bradfordmuseums.org/bhru/index.htm, http://www.oralhistory.org.uk/,
http://www.sywdtindustry.org.uk/. Reflect on the ways in which oral history could be utilised in
studies of religion.
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Religion and Society: Research Process and Methods
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.
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Religion and Society: Research Process and Methods
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 (http://www.surveymonkey.com/TakeATour.aspx)
(c) Visit the British Religion in Numbers website - http://www.brin.ac.uk/. 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.
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Religion and Society: Research Process and Methods
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.
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Religion and Society: Research Process and Methods
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:
http://clt.lse.ac.uk/workshops-and-courses/Course-resources/Poster-Design-Tips.php
http://www.gcu.ac.uk/student/coursework/presentations/posters.html
http://www.ncsu.edu/project/posters/NewSite/
http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ssds/sd/pgrd/resources/designing-poster/poster
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Religion and Society: Research Process and Methods
Week 10
Poster presentations and discussions of students research projects
Student poster presentations and discussion of projects.
Preparation:
Prepare a poster (A3 size, landscape) about your research project, and be ready to talk about, and answer
questions on, your research project in the class.
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Religion and Society: Research Process and Methods
Week 11
The Final Stages of the Research Process
A discussion of the process of analysis, writing up and presenting research.
Preparation:
(a) Read Bryman, chapter 27, ‘Writing up social research’.
(b) Complete the Course Evaluation Questionnaire on the VLE
(c) Bring questions concerning your research project
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Religion and Society: Research Process and Methods
Key module texts
Compulsory texts:
Alan Bryman, Social Research Methods (3rd edition, 2008).
‘Research Methods for the Study of Religions’, http://www.kent.ac.uk/religionmethods/index.html
Recommended texts:
Tim May, Social Research: Issues, Methods and Process.
John Hinnells (ed) A Routledge Companion to the Study of Religion (second edition)
Steven Sutcliffe (ed) Religion: Empirical Studies
Useful journals:
Method and Theory in the Study of Religion
Journal of Contemporary Religion
Religion Compass
Science of Religion Bulletin
Useful general websites:
(see individual seminar preparation for specific websites)
Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, http://pewforum.org/.
‘The demographics of faith’, http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=333.
US Religious Landscape Survey, http://religions.pewforum.org/.
BSA Sociology of Religion group: http://www.socrel.org.uk/
American Academy of Religion: http://www.aarweb.org/
British Academy for the Study of Religions: http://www.basr.ac.uk/
British Religion in Numbers: http://www.brin.ac.uk/
Research methods for the Study of Religions: http://www.kent.ac.uk/religionmethods/index.html.
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Religion and Society: Research Process and Methods
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Religion and Society: Research Process and Methods
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Smith, J. Z. (2004) Relating Religion: Essays in the Study of Religion. Chicago and London: University of
Chicago Press.
Sutcliffe, S. (ed.) (2004) Religion: Empirical Studies. London: Ashgate.
Taylor, M. (ed.) (1998) Critical Terms for Religious Studies. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Turner, B. S. (1991) Religion and Social Theory. London: Heinemann.
Woodhead, L. (2009) Religions in the Modern World. London and New York: Routledge.
B Studying theologically
Aichele, G. et al (1995) The Postmodern Bible. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Barton, J. (ed.) (1998) The Cambridge Companion to Biblical Interpretation. Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press.
Brenner, A. and Fontaine, C. (eds.) (1997) A Feminist Companion to Reading the Bible : approaches, methods
and strategies. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press.
Frei, H. (1992) Types of Christian Theology. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Graham, E., Walton, H. , and Ward, F., eds. (2005) Theological Reflection: Methods. London: SCM Press.
-
(2007) Theological Reflection: Sources. London: SCM Press.
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Religion and Society: Research Process and Methods
Gunton, C. (ed.) (1997) The Cambridge Companion to Christian Doctrine. Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press, ch 1-7
Jensen, A. S. (2007) Theological Hermeneutics. London: SCM Press.
Lindbeck, G. (1982). The Nature of Doctrine: Religion and theology in a postliberal age. London: SPCK.
Marks, D. (ed.) (2008) Shaping a Global Theological Mind. Aldershot: Ashgate.
Sugirtharajah, R.S. (2006) The Postcolonial Biblical Reader. Oxford: Blackwell.
Webster, J. et al (2007) The Oxford Handbook of Systematic Theology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Williams, R. (1999) On Christian Theology. Oxford: Blackwell, 1-60.
C General social science research methods and issues
Bell C. and H. Roberts (eds) (1984) Social Researching: Politics, Problems, Practice. London: Routledge.
Bell, J. (1987) Doing Your Research Project. Buckingham: Open University Press.
Blaxter, L. et al (1996) How to Research. Buckingham: Open University Press.
Bryman, A. (2008) Social Research Methods. Third edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Fink, A. (1998), Conducting Research Literature Reviews. London: Sage.
Gingrich, A. and Richard G. Fox (eds) (2002) Anthropology, By Comparison, London and New York:
Routledge.
Harding, S. (1988) Feminism and Methodology: Social Science Issues. Indianapolis: Indiana University
Press/Buckingham: Open University Press.
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Religion and Society: Research Process and Methods
Hart, C. (1998), Doing a Literature Review. London: Sage.
Homan, R. (1991) The Ethics of Social Research. London: Longman.
May, T. (2001) Social Research: Issues, Methods and Process. Third edition. London: Open University Press.
Potter, J. (1996) Representing Reality: Discourse, Rhetoric and Social Construction. London, Thousand Oaks,
New Delhi: Sage.
Reinharz, S. (1992) Feminist Methods in Social Research. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Roberts, H. (ed.) (1981) Doing Feminist Research. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul.
D Qualitative research methods
Alaszewski, A. (2006) Using Diaries for Social Research. London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi: Sage.
Altheide, D. L. (1996) Qualitative Media Analysis. London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi: Sage.
Atkinson, P. (1990) The Ethnographic Imagination: Textual Constructions of Society. London: Routledge.
Barbour, R. and Kitzinger, J. (eds) (2001) Developing Focus Group Research: Politics, Theory and Practice.
London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi: Sage.
Caunce, S. (1994) Oral History and the Local Historian. London: Longman.
Clifford, J. and G. E. Marcus (eds) (1986) Writing Culture: The Poetics and Politics of
Ethnography. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Coffey, A. (1999) The Ethnographic Self: Fieldwork and the Representation of Reality. London, Thousand
Oaks, New Delhi: Sage.
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Davies, C. A. (1999) Reflexive Ethnography: A Guide to Researching Selves and Others. London and New
York: Routledge.
Denzin, N. K. and Y. S. Lincoln (eds) (2000) Handbook of Qualitative Research. Second edition. London,
Thousand Oaks, New Delhi: Sage.
De Vaus, D. (1986) Surveys in Social Research. London: Routledge.
Emmison, M. and Smith, P. (2000) Researching the Visual: Images, Objects, Contexts and Interactions in
Social and Cultural Inquiry. London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi: Sage.
Farrar, M. (2005) ‘Photography: Making and Breaking Racialised Boundaries: an Essay in Reflexive, Radical,
Visual Sociology’, Sociological Research Online, 10:1
http://www.socresonline.org.uk/10/1/farrar.htm
Finnegan, R. (ed.) (1994) Studying Family and Community History. 4 vols. Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press.
Finnegan, R. (1992) Oral Traditions and the Verbal Arts: A Guide to Research Practices. London: Routledge.
Glaser, B. G. (1992) Basics of Grounded Theory Analysis. Mill Valley, California.
Gomm, R. Hammersley, M. and Foster, P. (eds) (2000) Case Study Method: Key Issues, Key Texts. London,
Thousand Oaks, New Delhi: Sage.
Hammersley, M. (1992) What’s Wrong with Ethnography? London: Routledge.
Hammersley, M. and Atkinson, P. (1995) Ethnography: Principles in Practice. Second edition. London:
Routledge.
Hewson, C., Yule, P., Laurent, D. and Vogel, C. (2003) Internet Research Methods: A Practical Guide for the
Social and Behavioral Sciences. London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi: Sage.
Hobbs, D. and May T. (1993) Interpreting the Field: Accounts of Ethnography. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
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Hodson, R. (1999) Analyzing Documentary Accounts. London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi: Sage.
Kelly, A. (1985) ‘Action research: What is it and what can it do?’ in R. G. Burgess (ed.) Issues in Educational
Research: Qualitative Methods. Falmer Press.
Krueger, R. A. (1988) Focus Groups: A Practical Guide for Applied Research. London, Thousand Oaks, New
Delhi, Sage.
Marcus, G. E. and Fischer, M. (1999), Anthropology as cultural critique : an experimental moment in the
human sciences. Chicago, London: University of Chicago Press.
Mason, J. (1996) Qualitative Researching. London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi: Sage.
Miller, R. L. (2000) Researching Life Stories and Family Histories. London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi: Sage.
Ó Doctartaigh, N. (2002) The Internet Research Handbook: A Practical Guide for Students and Researchers in
the Social Sciences. London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi: Sage.
Paine, C. (2000) Godly Things: Museums, Objects and Religion. Leicester: Leicester University Press.
Pawson, R. and Tilley, N. (1997) Realistic Evaluation. London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi: Sage.
Pink, S. (2001) Doing Visual Ethnography: Images, Media and Representation. London, Thousand Oaks, New
Delhi: Sage.
Plummer, K. (1983) Documents of Life: An Introduction to the Problems and Literature of a Humanistic
Method. London: Allen and Unwin.
Prosser, J. (ed.) (1998) Image-based Research. London and New York: Routledge and Falmer.
Scott, J. (1990) A Matter of Record: Documentary Sources in Social Research. Cambridge: Polity.
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Silverman, D. (2000) Doing Qualitative Research: A Practical Handbook. London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi:
Sage.
Spradley, J. P. (1979) The Ethnographic Interview. Rinehart and Winston.
Stephens, W. B. (1981) Sources for English Local History. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Strauss, A. and J. M. Corbin (eds) (1997) Grounded Theory in Practice. London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi:
Sage.
Swinton, J and H. Mowat, (2006) Practical Theology and Qualitative Research. London: SCM.
Thompson, P. (1988) The Voice of the Past: Oral History. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Williams, M. A. (1996) Researching Local History: The Human Journey. London: Longman.
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Guidelines for determining reliability and validity of websites
The Internet changes daily as resources are added, changed, moved or deleted. Millions of people, young and old,
as individuals or within organisations create resources ranging from basic information about themselves, their
interests or their products, to complex lists of funding resources, multimedia textbooks, full-text journals, clinical
information systems, epidemiological and statistical databases, and the like. One of the most pressing needs is to
evaluate these resources for accuracy and completeness. All information should be received with scepticism, unless
an evaluation of a site can be performed.
Relevant questions in evaluating a site include the following: Is the site affiliated with a reputable institution or
organisation such as a University, government or research institution? URLs may reveal this information: ‘edu’ [or
‘ac’] includes most educational institutions, ‘gov’ indicates government affiliated sites, and ‘com’ refers to commercial
enterprises, while ‘org’ suffixes are used by many non-profit organisations. The two-letter suffix on non-USA sites
indicates the country of origin. Is there a tilde (~) in the site address? Usually personal webpages are indicated with a
tilde, and although not necessarily bad, one should be particularly careful when evaluating such sites. Other
questions to keep in mind: Is there a particular bias? Who is the author? What are their credentials? How current is
this site? Many sites have been abandoned and sit as ‘junkyards’ of old information. How stable is the site? Is the
general style of the site reliable? Consider grammar and spelling.
Critical evaluation of websites
The following are some points to consider when visiting sites:
1. Content: is real information provided? Is content original or does it contain just links? Is the information
unique or is it a review? How accurate is it? What is the depth of content?
2. Authority: who or what is the source of the information? What are the qualifications?
3. Organisation: how is the site organized? Can you move easily through the site? Is the information presented
logically? Is the coverage adequate? Can you explore the links easily? Is there a search engine for the site?
4. Accessibility: can you access the server dependably? Does the site require registration? If so, is it billed?
Can it be accessed through a variety of connections and browsers? Is it friendly for text viewers? How
current is it? Is it updated regularly?
5. Ratings: is the site rated? By whom? Using what criteria? How objective is it? If the site is a rating service
itself, does it state its criteria?
Extract from L. E. J. Lee and E. Misser, ‘Science Through the Internet: Researching, Evaluating and Citing Websites’, Biological Procedures
Online, 1997-2005 (11 September 2005), par. 9-11, <http://www.biologicalprocedures.com/bpo/arts/1/15/m15.htm> [accessed 9 November 2005].
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