The Routledge Handbook of Research Methods in the Study of Religion
📘 About This Book
This substantially revised second edition of The Routledge Handbook of Research Methods in the Study of Religion remains the only comprehensive survey in English of methods and methodology in the discipline. Designed for non-specialists and upper undergraduate-/graduate-level students, it discusses the range of methods currently available to stimulate interest in unfamiliar methods and enable students and scholars to evaluate methodological issues in research. The Handbook comprises 39 chapters – 21 of which are new, and the rest revised for this edition. A total of 56 contributors from 10 countries cover a broad range of topics divided into three clear parts: • Methodology • Methods • Techniques The first section addresses general methodological issues: including comparison, research design, research ethics, intersectionality, and theorizing/analysis. The second addresses specific methods: including advanced computational methods, autoethnography, computational text analysis, digital ethnography, discourse analysis, experiments, field research, grounded theory, interviewing, reading images, surveys, and videography. The final section addresses specific techniques: including coding, focus groups, photo elicitation, and survey experiments. Each chapter covers practical issues and challenges, theoretical bases, and their use in the study of religion/s, illustrated by case studies. The Routledge Handbook of Research Methods in the Study of Religion is essential reading for students and researchers in the study of religion/s, as well as for those in related disciplines.
📖 Summary
The Routledge Handbook of Research Methods in the Study of Religion, edited by Steven Engler, stands as a substantially revised second edition that serves as the premier and sole comprehensive survey in the English language dedicated to methods and methodology within the academic discipline of religion. Spanning an impressive 670 pages across 39 chapters, this massive volume reflects the modern state of the field by bringing together 56 international contributors hailing from 10 different countries. Over half of the chapters in this edition are entirely new, while the remaining chapters have been thoughtfully updated and revised from the first edition to ensure relevance and rigor for contemporary scholarship. Designed specifically for non-specialists, upper-level undergraduates, and graduate students, the handbook is structured to stimulate genuine interest in unfamiliar methodological approaches while providing scholars at all levels with the analytical tools necessary to critically evaluate methodological issues in their own research and the published work of others. The content is meticulously organized into three distinct, clear parts that guide the reader seamlessly from high-level theoretical considerations down to practical, hands-on empirical applications. The first part delves into general methodological issues, addressing foundational concepts such as comparison and research design, which set the stage for rigorous academic inquiry. The subsequent parts transition into specific methods and concrete techniques utilized by scholars of religion across the globe. Through this tripartite architecture, the handbook ensures that researchers do not merely mimic existing paradigms, but rather understand the epistemological and practical underpinnings of their choices. By gathering such a diverse array of global perspectives and specialized insights, Steven Engler has curated an indispensable reference work that defines the current landscape and future trajectories of methodological discourse in the scientific and humanistic study of religion.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Serves as the only comprehensive survey of its kind in English.
Features contributions from 56 experts across 10 countries.
Includes a large proportion of newly written and revised chapters.
Clearly organized into logical sections on methodology, methods, and techniques.
⚠️ Cons
May be too dense or advanced for casual readers outside of academia.
Large academic textbooks can carry a high financial cost.
❓ FAQ
Who is the author of The Routledge Handbook of Research Methods in the Study of Religion? +
The book is edited by Steven Engler.
What edition of the book is this? +
This is the substantially revised second edition.
How many chapters are included in the handbook? +
The handbook comprises 39 chapters, featuring 21 new chapters and the rest revised.
How is the book structured? +
The book is divided into three clear parts covering methodology, methods, and techniques.
Who is the target audience for this book? +
It is designed for non-specialists, upper-level undergraduate students, and graduate students.
