Messy Methods in Researching Religion

This unique book investigates the real-world complexities, challenges, and mistakes that are often encountered when researching religion, values, and culture. Featuring the reflections of researchers from across the social sciences and humanities, it offers vivid accounts of designing and executing both small-scale and much larger projects.

Some chapters describe in detail the process and rationale behind methodological decisions, including challenges, adaptations, and revisions. Others reveal how things went wrong in the research process, even past the point of recovery, and what was learned. There is reflection on wider conceptual, theoretical, and ethical debates about ’religion’ and what they mean in practice.

In acknowledging the messiness of researching religion, the volume seeks to humanize and improve it. The honest reflections it contains will help researchers avoid some common mistakes and face others openly without losing heart.

Linda Woodhead, F. D. Maurice Professor, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, King’s College London, Louisa Cadman, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography, Sheffield Hallam University, Nicole Graham, Lecturer in Ethics and Values, Theology and Religious Studies Department, King’s College London

Linda Woodhead studies religion, belief, and values in modern societies using a range of qualitative and quantitative methods. In addition to her academic work, Professor Woodhead is a commentator on religious and cultural issues on radio and television.

Louisa Cadman’s research interests concern the social, cultural, and political geographies of (mental) health, with a subsequent interest in how health intersects with contemporary spirituality.

Nicole Graham undertakes research within the field of humour and religion, exploring questions of the body, gender, and ethics. She has written on feminist laughter, the emergence and potential of the field of humour and religion, the acceptability of laughter in the early Christian tradition, and the ethics of laughter during game-playing. She is also the Media Officer of the Humour and Religion Network.