guidelines for research methodology

7272019 Guidelines for Research Methodology

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullguidelines-for-research-methodology 119

983120983137983143983141 983089 983151983142 983089983097

GUIDELINES FOR RESEARCH

METHODOLOGY-RELIGIOUS STUDIES-



983120983137983143983141 983090 983151983142 983089983097

RELIGIOUS STUDIES QUID

ldquoReligious studiesrdquo is the academic field of multi-disciplinary secularstudy of religious beliefs behaviors and institutions It describescompares interprets and explains religion There are two principalapproaches that can be used to study religions the theological and theacademic Both are rational enterprises and there are concerned withknowing and understanding all the aspects of religions Thus both requirerational inquiry though their orientation and culture are different

The theological approach is mainly used in theology departments or

faculties As we know theology is a noble disciple it explains the revealedtruth that is necessary for manrsquos salvation since man is directed to God as

to an end that surpasses the grasp of his reason Manrsquos whole salvation

which is in God depends upon the knowledge of this truth This is taught

in theology Thus the theologianrsquos primary work is to explain Godrsquos

revelation as manifested in scripture and doctrines

However the academic approach is employed in the departments of

Religious Studies The academic study of religions is indeed a collective

way of reading the following features 1 The functional features of

religions that is how religions meet the emotional social intellectual

needs of people Here we study different beliefs social organizations

moral and ritual practices individuals in a given believing community

manrsquos desire to know the how and the why of things 2 The substantial

features since we believe that in spite of their differences and views

religions have an essential nature manifested in two aspects a) there is a

strong conviction that there is something supernatural b) There is the

belief that human existence if it is to be fulfilled must be harmonized withor subrogated to what people experience as beyond This is what

distinguishes religious people from nonreligious groups if there are 3

The formal features which function in relation to the supernatural such as

arts ceremonies languages morality and sciencehellip

As we use a collective method religious studies embrace the history

of religions (origin and development of religions) philosophy of



983120983137983143983141 983091 983151983142 983089983097

religions (analysis of the truth-claims and logical consistency of

religious beliefs) sociology of religions (the role of religions in the

society) phenomenology of religions (the way religions appear tous) psychological of religions (the inner character of religious

experiences and the ways individual needs are met through religion)

While theological studies are tied to a religious community academic ones

embrace all Theologians function within a circle of faith students in

religious studies have no limited area Theologians are specialists those

is religious studies are generalists

Note that in the expression ldquoReligious Studiesrdquo the word ldquostudyrdquo modifies

religion and gives it a new direction Though those in Religious Studies

are meant to identify an objective scientific nonbiased study of religions

personal belief or piety is necessary for the inquiry Academic study of

religions is not synonymous to irreligion or paganism Religion serves to

give life meaning and to bind humans together

Generally whoever wants to carry out a study a survey or an

investigation in some field of knowledge or establishing facts and

principles needs beforehand a method (methods) to guide him without anydoubt he is obliged to use a method which is a systematic procedure

for reaching a goal or doing inquiry into an area of study This

includes techniques and particular practices used to carry out a method

As Bernard Lonergan puts it in his introduction to Method in theology

ldquoMethod is not a set of rules to be followed meticulously by a dolt It is

framework for collaborative creativity It would outline the various clusters

of operations to be performed by theologians when they go about their

various tasks A modern method would conceive those tasks in the

context of modern science modern scholarship and modern philosophy

of historicity collective practicality and coresponsibilityrdquo Here Lonergan is

talking to theologians but this is also applied to those in humanities In the

same way it concerns those in religious studies perhaps with little

differences



983120983137983143983141 983092 983151983142 983089983097

For Bernard Lonergan method is not to be learnt from books or lectures

but in the laboratory or seminars What counts is the example of the

master the effort to do likewise his comments on onersquos performance(Method in theology p3)

Sciences differ in their objects and particularly in their methods As a

science study of religions is has a more or less defined object and

method From the time Weber and other scholars recognized the

seriousness and importance of manrsquos religious interest and activities and

the causal significance of religious ideas affecting human action and

historical development of the society religious studies have gone into

great development in such a way that they stand as an independent

subject an independent science Independence here does not mean

autonomy Nonetheless even when it is well known that all peoples have

a religion the following question remains how could investigation be

carried on if the investigators had no precise idea of the object of their

research Therefore we need to know what religion is all about

Definition of ldquoReligionrdquo

We know that the concept ldquoreligionrdquo is familiar to us as much as the people

of humanity are religious people But a definition of religion is yet to be

found Because of this we talk about definitions because ldquoreligionrdquo is

defined in different ways In other words a comprehensive definition of

ldquoReligionrdquo is hardly to be found but we can give some views of different

scholars Even in its etymology the term ldquoReligiordquo refers to four Latin

verbsrdquo relegere religare reeligere relinquere These approaches

influence in one-way or the other the definitions of scholars Religion

could be defined as a reading over of things or phenomena which pertainto the worship of God (relegere) It could be defined as a bond which

binds the visible and the invisible worlds (religare) It could be taken as a

repeated choice of what has been neither lost nor neglected Being

created (first election) man is chosen again to enter into relationship with

the Creator (reeligere) Religion is also considered as an act of leaving

certain things in order to be submitted to others maybe to a Supreme

Being (Relinquere) All these ways are nominal and etymological



983120983137983143983141 983093 983151983142 983089983097

definitions they are important but not sufficient Note that definitions of

religions can be nominal theological or historical

Philosophers have come up with some definitions too For many of them

religion is manrsquos awareness to moral law (Kant) religion is one form of

knowing the absolute (Hegel) religion is an illusion a dream of human

mind the essence of religion lies in the feelings of dependence

(Schleiermacher) religion of humanity has replaced the worship of God

religion is the encounter of an individual with God religion is based on the

I-thou relationship religion is the bridge between the supernatural and thenatural (Maurice Blondel)

Whitehead defines religion in this way ldquoreligion is the vision of something

which stands beyond behind and within the passing flux of immediate

things something which is real and yet waiting to be realized something

which is remote possibility and yet the greatest of present facts

something that gives meaning to all that passes and yet eludes

apprehensionhelliprdquo (Roger Schmidt Exploring religion p 15)

In trying to define the concept ldquoreligionrdquo theologians have made a very

tremendous contribution but it is more or less limited to those so-called

revealed religions According to them religion is a virtue that leads man to

render to God the homage that is due to Him This homage comprises

belief in one God personal and infinite in his attributes an attitude of

absolute respect and submission external acts that express his belief

Though theologians are talking about revealed religions this definition

could be extended to non-revealed religions

For Saint Thomas Aquinas for instance religion denotes properly a

relation to God For it is He to whom we ought to be bound as to our

unfailing principle to whom also our choice should be directed as to our

last end and who we loose when we neglect him by sin and should

recover by believing in Him and confessing our faith He adds that religion

is a virtue since it directs us to good the supreme good God



983120983137983143983141 983094 983151983142 983089983097

Now Paul Tillich gives the differences found between theology and

religion He said ldquoConcepts such as ldquorevelationrdquo and ldquoredemptionrdquo stand

in clear opposition to religion They express an action happening onlyonce transcendent in origin and transforming in its effect on reality while

religion subordinates a whole series of spiritual acts and cultural creations

under a general concept Revelation speaks of divine religion of human

action Revelation speaks of an absolute singular exclusive and self-

sufficient happening religion refers to merely relative occurrences always

recurring and never exclusive Revelation speaks of the entrance of a new

reality into life and the spirit religion speaks of a given reality of life and a

necessary function of the spirit Religion speaks of culture revelation ofthat which lies beyond culture (What is religion pp27-28)

Moreover let us know that religions are not the same Historians note that

not even one religion is the same century after century or from one

country to another or from a village to a city Surely they have both

similarities and differences Some religions hold many principles and

components in common but we do not see them because we have been

trained not to see them or think of them When we focus on doctrines and

beliefs world religions could be divided into revealed (JudaismChristianity Islam) and non-revealed (African Traditional Religions

Hinduism Buddhism) or monotheistic (Judaism Christianity Islam) and

polytheistic (Old Greek and Roman religions and Hinduism) religions But

based on their origin religions are African Asian Semitic and European

As we study religions let us not fall into these following mistakes

Reductionism Everything in religions is reduced to one particular

phenomenon which perhaps appears objective

Limitation We can think that there is only one religion or one family of

religions consequently other religions are denied or ignored Again related

to this point there is a danger of limiting a particular religion to what is

practiced in a particular zone or area or by particular people



983120983137983143983141 983095 983151983142 983089983097

Neglect There is a great tendency of neglecting some truths that do not

seem to be rational to us It is widely noted that rationality is the only

instrument of true assessment

Subjectivism Many times and in many occasions we fail to describe or

reflect objectively on othersrsquo doctrines Subjective opinions are welcome

but too much subjectivity overlooks the truth of the matter it leads to a

wrong assessment for here the truth is evaluated according to my religion

not according to the truth of those religions Philosophy of religions must

therefore be applied since it deepens our reflection

Fanaticism We notice a very remarkable tendency in the life of many

scholars of religions sometimes they become so fanatical of a particular

religion that everything in their religious fields is exempted from any

mistake or error Everything is praised and presented as the best of all

Some directives for a research

Research begins by setting some hypotheses which must be affirmed

confirmed or contested A hypothesis is a supposition an unproved theory

that is opened to further investigations For example ldquoSharirdquo a law is the

foundation of the development of Saudi Arabiardquo or ldquoprayer is a

therapeuticrdquo This can be studied with a scientific method in order to

confirm it or contest it However scientific studies follow the rules of

science which provide for power power to know power to predict and

to control Generally scientific knowledge is theoretical that is a set of

theories and descriptions of the world particularly of its regularities or laws

that also explain the observable facts Scientific knowledge is empirical

because every theory needs to be confirmed or contested on observable

events or entities because theories of science should be explained or

modified by what is observed



983120983137983143983141 983096 983151983142 983089983097

This makes us come out from common sense or appearances for us to

embrace something higher understanding something that can be justified

and defended with solid arguments Scientific knowledge is testable KarlPropper wrote ldquoA theory which is refutable by any conceivable event is

nonscientificrdquo Scientific theories must not only account for the facts they

must also be capable of being disconfirmed by conflicting data This leads

us to confront our ideas with others for verifiability Pro and contra

arguments are possible ways for testing what we have known or

formulated Scientific knowledge is probable rather than certain Whatever

we know or hold as truth is always subject to modification We can doubt

on things that we were taught or given (cf Rene Descartes)

Such studies are done in order to strive for clarity and

comprehensiveness but with a minimum of neutrality and objectivity J

Milton said ldquoreligion when it is being examined with the framework of

science is dealt as part of the natural world subject to the laws of

cause and effect and the rules of logic A dispassionate language is

required As we explore religions we need to adopt a language of a

critical observer who describes and explains religious phenomena in terms

of the categories and classifications of phenomenology and theapproaches of the historian and philosopher That is why phenomenology

and philosophy of religion are very important courses in religious studies

Whatever we know has passed through many stages that it needs to be

interpreted by asking questions such as what happened (This is a

question asked by historians in order to reconstruct the pass of the event

or of the phenomena or of the idea) What is its function (Here is a

question which seeks the function of the observable fact and to know how

it has affected the people) How is to be interpreted (Here is the greatwork of interpretation or hermeneutics We conduct a kind of exegesis

because studies of religion are not final but incomplete)

We agree with Lonergan that a method is a normative pattern and related

operations which are submissive to cumulative and progressive result It

is a normative process because it goes with norms that must be taking into

account for a successful result Each discovery or operation conducted

must be related to others in a way that ideas do stand as independent



983120983137983143983141 983097 983151983142 983089983097

entities but as elements of the same system One transforms the other

Finally the results are cumulative and progressive for in the process first

data give way to new ones new observations new description that may ormay not confirm the hypothesis

The whole process of doing research is about seeing hearing touching

smelling tasting inquiring imagining understanding conceiving

formulating reflecting weighing of evidence judging deliberating

evaluating deciding speaking and writing We need to make present the

object we studying therefore our senses are the fist instruments of

knowledge The hierarchy of these operations helps us to move from

infantrsquos world to adultrsquos world where we enter into the world of meanings

we shift from myths legends and stories to rational truths

The researcher needs to obtain some unavoidable skills that he or she

gets more by following people examples than by having lectures It is

therefore required to have a great degree of assimilation and adjustment

in order to learn more comfortably and through trial and error modified the

previous data and supplements them with new ones

Feelings are also essential ldquoBecause of our feelings our desires andfears our hopes or despair our joys and sorrows our enthusiasm and

indignation our esteem and contempt our trust and distrust our love and

hatred our tenderness and wrath our admiration veneration reverence

our dread horror terror we are oriented massively and dynamically in a

world of meaning ldquo(Bernard Lonergan Method in theology p31) These

drive us to preferences agreements and disagreements indeed to some

values

A method leads towards new meanings or new connotation of objects

These come through human intersubjectivity symbols languages lives

and deeds of persons Relations of I and Thou are highly encouraged

artistic works carry out peoplersquos mind desires realities or aspirations

symbols are objects that hide truths that what we see in them is not

always what they mean languages are vehicles of cultures they mould

consciousness and structure the world about the subject There exist



983120983137983143983141 983089983088 983151983142 983089983097

ordinary languages and meta-languages Many times religious language

is analogical and metaphorical It is analogical because we are unable to

think or speak of God as God really is and nothing we can say about Godis literally true in the same sense as when applied to finite human

experience Analogy is basically a comparison of two or more things in

terms of their likeness in a way that recognizes their differences (eg God

is intelligent this flows from the intelligence of man) There are two types

of analogy analogy of attribution and analogy of proportionality We

attribute to God what we have but in a high degree (man and God are

good but God has it in a highest level that he is goodness itself) However

metaphor is figure of speech in which a word applied to an object in anonliteral way in order to suggest a comparison between two objects (eg

Time is money) (Cf David Stewart Exploring the Philosophy of Religion

pp 222-225 and 236)

Steps to be takenFor a successful research

As said above method is normative and one of the rules to consider is the

knowledge the importance the progression and the content of the

necessary phases Thus there is a time for formulating hypotheses

which can be formulated theory or an opinion or a belief or a

presumption a question There will a time for collecting data or

gathering materials or selecting some writings There will be

another time for interpreting the materials arts symbols and deeds

of people The last is the time for putting down what someone has

gathered round In summary these steps are heuristic process

hermeneutic work and composition

Heuristic procedure

The heuristic process is a way of being informed a way of knowing

whatever presents itself in the consciousness of the investigator Nobody



983120983137983143983141 983089983089 983151983142 983089983097

gets information about a topic by sitting down but by gathering materials

with a scientific method The root meaning of the word ldquoheuristicrdquo comes

from the Greek word heurikein which means to discover or to find Aresearcher is bound to discover the nature and the meaning of what he is

intending to describe analyse and reflect on in order to find new images

and meanings regarding a particular phenomenon It is a transforming

self-doubt into self-confidence

Thus the researcher has to gather materials (trips feelings dreams

experiences readings situations beliefs events) sources of his

knowledge This process begins by setting a question or identifying a

problem which he seeks to illuminate or to answer The question is one

that has been a challenge and perplexity in the search to understand onersquos

self and the world in which he lives So He or she engages in gathering all

kind of materials that could help him to discover what he is looking for and

what he or she intends to understand He or she has to identify with the

issue get inside and become one with it allowing the phenomenon to

speak of itself and to be questioned by it

This process of gathering materials could be through interviews or

readings or attending conferences seminars and classes Here taking

notes listening and visiting become the reservoir of the materials

gathered Than the researcher could move to the second step which the

process of interpretation

Hermeneutic processThe question ldquoWhat does it meanrdquo is referred to as hermeneutics that is

the task of interpretation With this we understand that religious studies ndash

that is the understanding beliefs and practices ndash are conditional not

indubitable incomplete not final The question ldquoWhat does it meanrdquo

generates a range of question such as ldquoWhat happenedrdquo ldquoWhat is its

functionrdquo



983120983137983143983141 983089983090 983151983142 983089983097

Not every text stands in need of interpretation since some texts reveal itsmeaning as soon someone reads it It only requires a common sense

However common sense is common not to all people of all places and

times but to the members of a given community Thus the hermeneutic

work allows us to judge how correct onersquos understanding of the text is

This raises the problem of context A text that has traveled from one place

to another or from one epoch to another needs interpretation A text

without a context is a pretext Know that a text is a general term a person

or an art or writings or a tree or an idea could be a text

Interpreting a text is defining its context it is about understanding the

object to which the text refers to or discovering the meaning of the object

A researcher learns about the data or the objects that he does not know

Interpretation is also about understanding the words used in the text since

the meaning of a text is an intentional entity It is a unity that is unfolded

through parts sections chapters paragraphs sentences and words All

these reveal the purpose of the author for writing the text and in this way

and the knowledge of the people for whom he wrote

Interpreting a text is in addition about understanding the author Even

people of the same epoch the same place who speak the same

language understand things differently Thus the researcher needs toenter into the mind of the writer to understand his nation language time

culture and his way of life in order to grasp what exactly he meant

Interpreting a text is a self-correcting process through which we learn not

only the way we acquire knowledge but also the way others understand



983120983137983143983141 983089983091 983151983142 983089983097

objects that we come across It brings a great revolution to our own

perceptions

Interpreting a text is reading the mind of the author or knowing what the

author meant in writing on a particular topic or a particular subject It is

looking for what he wants to communicate what he presents and what he

defends

Interpreting a text also means understanding the world of meaning that agiven text opens Sometimes a text is opened to numerous meanings that

go beyond the mind of the author

Composition

Composition which can be defined as the act of putting together a whole

by combining parts or the arrangement of parts of a work to form a unified

harmonious unity could come through a description or an analysis or

reflection At this level composition is essentially a reflection -the fixing of

the mind on some subjects- which could have the two others as parts of

the whole reflection It is therefore required to use reason as someone

exercises his mind in order to understand the nature the matters and

forms the relations and the finalities or objects It is indeed going into

Aristotlersquos four causes material (a thing is made of what) formal (How

does a thing appear to us) efficient cause (Where does a thing come

from) and the final cause (What is the ultimate end of a particular thing)

A good reflection flows into sound arguments which are reasons for or

against something there are statements made or a proof given In search

of certainty some opinions might be (1) inductive the passage of the mind

from particular cases of a given kind of thing to a general or universal

notion concerning all cases of the same kind Though induction has

serious problems it is the most used by our mind all our knowledge is

inductive in origin (2) Deductive however is the passage of the mind from



983120983137983143983141 983089983092 983151983142 983089983097

a universal notion to particular cases it is the movement of the mind from

a whole to particulars What is said of the human race can be applied to

many individuals (3) Scientific in a way that the mind proceeds by settingHypotheses then explains them in order to attain a scientific certainty

which is presumed to be the truth of the matter at a given time or period

Here observations and propositions or antecedent affirmations are

analyzed for better affirmations or conclusions

A description is more or less a quantitative and external process in which

someone states what he observes from an object gives an account ofwhat is observed and gives in words the picture of the object Descriptions

do classify objects

An analysis conversely is more a qualitative than quantitative course of

action in which someone breaks or separates a whole into parts and

examines these parts to find out their nature proportion function and

interrelationship According to Bertrand Russell analysis reveals theconstituents of realities it renders experience intelligible

A scientific reflection stands on arguments that allow the writer to give

reasons for or against something It is indeed a great challenge to our

reason Argumentation is a discussion about a problem or an issue

through agreements and disagreements dispute and debate The contra

as well as the pro ideas are equally important for they test the truthfulness

of the reality under discussion This practice assists to pass from a priori

statement to a posteriori declaration Thomas Aquinas for instance

proceeds by asking a question then he presents a number of objections ndash

that is what previous people have said about- he goes on by giving an

argument contrary to the objections states his view and finally he replies

to the objections



983120983137983143983141 983089983093 983151983142 983089983097

It is here that philosophy of religion finds its impact in the study of religions

for by virtue of the critical task of philosophy it frees the mind from

personal beliefs in order to be able to examine critically the fundamentalquestions raised by religion To think critically is to be consistent and

coherent provide evidence and concluding reflections We begin with the

question ldquowhat is this And we end with the question ldquowhy this

All this will be done within a structure that requires first a general

introduction which comprises a statement of the problem the purpose of

the study the scope and the structure of the work the methodology usedin writing (there is a method of gathering materials and another for putting

down what was collected) a literature review that presents the books and

articles of great value Second we continue by setting chapters these

must have bridges for more consistency Chapters are not isolated entities

in the whole work so the second emerges from the first and so on

Chapters are divided into different points and point into paragraphs each

paragraph is a development of a strong idea it is a distinct section or

subdivision of a chapter Third a conclusion where the writer gives thesummary of what has been said creates a place for his own critique and

asks new questions for a future debate A conclusion is more or less a re-

introduction Last we give a comprehensive bibliography which lists the

reference book books and journals used throughout Note that there is no

need of listing the materials that the student did not consult at all

What is a Statement of the problem

Knowing and understanding a problem at hand is one thing and stating it

is another From Greek πρόβληmicroα (problema ) means anything thrown

forward hindrance obstacle anything projecting Therefore a problem is

an obstacle which makes it difficult to achieve a desired goal objective or

purpose It refers to a situation condition or issue that is yet unresolved

In a broad sense a problem exists when an individual becomes aware of a

significant difference between what actually is and what is desired Every



983120983137983143983141 983089983094 983151983142 983089983097

problem asks for an answer or solution that leads us to write on some

topics because we want to suggest some solutions In other words a

genuine problem within a situation becomes a stimulus In academicdiscourse a problem is a challenge to an assumption an apparent conflict

that requires synthesis and reconciliation

A problem known and understood must be expressed and articulated

in words or in a meaningful text A statement of the problem in this

context means the presentation of the difficulty found in the society It can

be expressed in a form a question such as 1 Why do many believers ofdifferent faiths and religions live in conflict and hatred 2 Why do we

experience divisions in indigenous Churches 3 Why do we have more

divorces and temporary separations nowadays 4 What prevents

Christians to live in conformity with the life of Christ In stating the

problem the writer imagines the materials to be used in solving the

problem the scope of his investigation the significance of hisher

research the structure of his development Martin Heidegger says that the

relevance of the problem addressed in any work stands as a veryimportant criterion for assessing it

About the purpose objectives and significance of the study

These three concepts seem to carry out the same meaning but a

necessary distinction needs to be underlined A propose in a thesis or

dissertation is what the thinker or the writer has in mind as a goal to be

achieved it is the aim and the projection that guides the writer in his

heuristic work his hermeneutic process and in the composition This goal

is described in different but interconnected statements which make up the

objectives Usually objectives are linked to one or more program goals

Objectives are statements of attainable quantifiable intermediate-term

achievements that help accomplish goals contained in the comprehensive

plan Objectives are operational statements that is they are written in

terms which make it evident when they have been achieved As with



983120983137983143983141 983089983095 983151983142 983089983097

goals they are descriptions of position rather than an action They are

descriptions of a desirable future They may imply immediate action or a

sequence of activities in the near future Then the significance of aresearch is its importance in the field A finding in religion may be said to

be of religious significance if it shows a theory to be useful or not useful or

if it has implications for scientific interpretation or policy practice

About Scope and delimitation

With reference to the Structure of the work

It is about the flow of the content However this is not imposed to anywork simply there are some logical reasons that design what could beconsidered as a conventional way of structuring dissertations or thesisThe structure ndashmicro and macro- gives to the reader the most accessibleway of seeing why the research was done how it was done and mostimportantly what has been achieved You can therefore see the logic of

the arrangement of the content The following basically is the structure inmany humanitiesrsquo theses

1 Why am I doing it Introduction and Significance2 What is known What is unknown Literature review Identifying

gaps3 What do I hope to discover Aims4 How am I going to discover it Methodology5 What have I found Results6 What does it mean Discussion

7 What are the possible applications or recommendationsWhat contribution does it make to knowledge What next Conclusion

A structure refers to the organization of the chapters or sections that make

up the dissertation So we can have for instance this conventional

structure



983120983137983143983141 983089983096 983151983142 983089983097

IN QUALITATIVE METHOD -OUTLINE

Chapter 1 Introduction

bull Background of the Problembull Statement of the Problembull Purpose of the Studybull Research Questionsbull Importance of the Studybull Scope of the Studybull Definition of Termsbull Delimitations and Limitations

Chapter 2 Review of the Literature

Chapter 3 Research Methods

bull The Qualitative Paradigmbull Qualitative Methodsbull The Researchers Rolebull Data Sourcesbull Data Collectionbull Data Analysisbull Verificationbull Ethical Considerationsbull Plan for Narrative OR Pilot Study Results

Chapter 4 Research Findings

Chapter 5 Conclusions Discussion and Suggestions for Future Research

bull Summarybull Conclusionsbull Discussionbull Suggestions for Future Research

QUANTITATIVE DISSERTATION OUTLINE




983120983137983143983141 983089983097 983151983142 983089983097

bull Background of the Problembull Statement of the Problembull Purpose of the Studybull Theoretical Frameworkbull Research Hypothesesbull Importance of the Studybull Scope of the Studybull Definition of Termsbull Summary



bull Research Designbull Participantsbull Instrumentationbull Research Procedures and Pilot Testingbull Data Analysisbull Assumptions of the Studybull Limitations of the Studybull Summary




On Method

About the literature review

What is known What is unknown

Bibliography



983120983137983143983141 983090 983151983142 983089983097

RELIGIOUS STUDIES QUID

ldquoReligious studiesrdquo is the academic field of multi-disciplinary secularstudy of religious beliefs behaviors and institutions It describescompares interprets and explains religion There are two principalapproaches that can be used to study religions the theological and theacademic Both are rational enterprises and there are concerned withknowing and understanding all the aspects of religions Thus both requirerational inquiry though their orientation and culture are different

The theological approach is mainly used in theology departments or

faculties As we know theology is a noble disciple it explains the revealedtruth that is necessary for manrsquos salvation since man is directed to God as

to an end that surpasses the grasp of his reason Manrsquos whole salvation

which is in God depends upon the knowledge of this truth This is taught

in theology Thus the theologianrsquos primary work is to explain Godrsquos

revelation as manifested in scripture and doctrines

However the academic approach is employed in the departments of

Religious Studies The academic study of religions is indeed a collective

way of reading the following features 1 The functional features of

religions that is how religions meet the emotional social intellectual

needs of people Here we study different beliefs social organizations

moral and ritual practices individuals in a given believing community

manrsquos desire to know the how and the why of things 2 The substantial

features since we believe that in spite of their differences and views

religions have an essential nature manifested in two aspects a) there is a

strong conviction that there is something supernatural b) There is the

belief that human existence if it is to be fulfilled must be harmonized withor subrogated to what people experience as beyond This is what

distinguishes religious people from nonreligious groups if there are 3

The formal features which function in relation to the supernatural such as

arts ceremonies languages morality and sciencehellip

As we use a collective method religious studies embrace the history

of religions (origin and development of religions) philosophy of



983120983137983143983141 983091 983151983142 983089983097





























differences



983120983137983143983141 983092 983151983142 983089983097


































983120983137983143983141 983093 983151983142 983089983097
































983120983137983143983141 983094 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983095 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983096 983151983142 983089983097


































983120983137983143983141 983097 983151983142 983089983097























values










983120983137983143983141 983089983088 983151983142 983089983097












pp 222-225 and 236)












Heuristic procedure





983120983137983143983141 983089983089 983151983142 983089983097



























functionrdquo



983120983137983143983141 983089983090 983151983142 983089983097

























983120983137983143983141 983089983091 983151983142 983089983097


perceptions




defends



Composition





















983120983137983143983141 983089983092 983151983142 983089983097









do classify objects















to the objections



983120983137983143983141 983089983093 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983094 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983095 983151983142 983089983097















structure



983120983137983143983141 983089983096 983151983142 983089983097














983120983137983143983141 983089983097 983151983142 983089983097








On Method



Bibliography



983120983137983143983141 983091 983151983142 983089983097





























differences



983120983137983143983141 983092 983151983142 983089983097


































983120983137983143983141 983093 983151983142 983089983097
































983120983137983143983141 983094 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983095 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983096 983151983142 983089983097


































983120983137983143983141 983097 983151983142 983089983097























values










983120983137983143983141 983089983088 983151983142 983089983097












pp 222-225 and 236)












Heuristic procedure





983120983137983143983141 983089983089 983151983142 983089983097



























functionrdquo



983120983137983143983141 983089983090 983151983142 983089983097

























983120983137983143983141 983089983091 983151983142 983089983097


perceptions




defends



Composition





















983120983137983143983141 983089983092 983151983142 983089983097









do classify objects















to the objections



983120983137983143983141 983089983093 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983094 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983095 983151983142 983089983097















structure



983120983137983143983141 983089983096 983151983142 983089983097














983120983137983143983141 983089983097 983151983142 983089983097








On Method



Bibliography



983120983137983143983141 983092 983151983142 983089983097


































983120983137983143983141 983093 983151983142 983089983097
































983120983137983143983141 983094 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983095 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983096 983151983142 983089983097


































983120983137983143983141 983097 983151983142 983089983097























values










983120983137983143983141 983089983088 983151983142 983089983097












pp 222-225 and 236)












Heuristic procedure





983120983137983143983141 983089983089 983151983142 983089983097



























functionrdquo



983120983137983143983141 983089983090 983151983142 983089983097

























983120983137983143983141 983089983091 983151983142 983089983097


perceptions




defends



Composition





















983120983137983143983141 983089983092 983151983142 983089983097









do classify objects















to the objections



983120983137983143983141 983089983093 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983094 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983095 983151983142 983089983097















structure



983120983137983143983141 983089983096 983151983142 983089983097














983120983137983143983141 983089983097 983151983142 983089983097








On Method



Bibliography



983120983137983143983141 983093 983151983142 983089983097
































983120983137983143983141 983094 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983095 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983096 983151983142 983089983097


































983120983137983143983141 983097 983151983142 983089983097























values










983120983137983143983141 983089983088 983151983142 983089983097












pp 222-225 and 236)












Heuristic procedure





983120983137983143983141 983089983089 983151983142 983089983097



























functionrdquo



983120983137983143983141 983089983090 983151983142 983089983097

























983120983137983143983141 983089983091 983151983142 983089983097


perceptions




defends



Composition





















983120983137983143983141 983089983092 983151983142 983089983097









do classify objects















to the objections



983120983137983143983141 983089983093 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983094 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983095 983151983142 983089983097















structure



983120983137983143983141 983089983096 983151983142 983089983097














983120983137983143983141 983089983097 983151983142 983089983097








On Method



Bibliography



983120983137983143983141 983094 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983095 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983096 983151983142 983089983097


































983120983137983143983141 983097 983151983142 983089983097























values










983120983137983143983141 983089983088 983151983142 983089983097












pp 222-225 and 236)












Heuristic procedure





983120983137983143983141 983089983089 983151983142 983089983097



























functionrdquo



983120983137983143983141 983089983090 983151983142 983089983097

























983120983137983143983141 983089983091 983151983142 983089983097


perceptions




defends



Composition





















983120983137983143983141 983089983092 983151983142 983089983097









do classify objects















to the objections



983120983137983143983141 983089983093 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983094 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983095 983151983142 983089983097















structure



983120983137983143983141 983089983096 983151983142 983089983097














983120983137983143983141 983089983097 983151983142 983089983097








On Method



Bibliography



983120983137983143983141 983095 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983096 983151983142 983089983097


































983120983137983143983141 983097 983151983142 983089983097























values










983120983137983143983141 983089983088 983151983142 983089983097












pp 222-225 and 236)












Heuristic procedure





983120983137983143983141 983089983089 983151983142 983089983097



























functionrdquo



983120983137983143983141 983089983090 983151983142 983089983097

























983120983137983143983141 983089983091 983151983142 983089983097


perceptions




defends



Composition





















983120983137983143983141 983089983092 983151983142 983089983097









do classify objects















to the objections



983120983137983143983141 983089983093 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983094 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983095 983151983142 983089983097















structure



983120983137983143983141 983089983096 983151983142 983089983097














983120983137983143983141 983089983097 983151983142 983089983097








On Method



Bibliography



983120983137983143983141 983096 983151983142 983089983097


































983120983137983143983141 983097 983151983142 983089983097























values










983120983137983143983141 983089983088 983151983142 983089983097












pp 222-225 and 236)












Heuristic procedure





983120983137983143983141 983089983089 983151983142 983089983097



























functionrdquo



983120983137983143983141 983089983090 983151983142 983089983097

























983120983137983143983141 983089983091 983151983142 983089983097


perceptions




defends



Composition





















983120983137983143983141 983089983092 983151983142 983089983097









do classify objects















to the objections



983120983137983143983141 983089983093 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983094 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983095 983151983142 983089983097















structure



983120983137983143983141 983089983096 983151983142 983089983097














983120983137983143983141 983089983097 983151983142 983089983097








On Method



Bibliography



983120983137983143983141 983097 983151983142 983089983097























values










983120983137983143983141 983089983088 983151983142 983089983097












pp 222-225 and 236)












Heuristic procedure





983120983137983143983141 983089983089 983151983142 983089983097



























functionrdquo



983120983137983143983141 983089983090 983151983142 983089983097

























983120983137983143983141 983089983091 983151983142 983089983097


perceptions




defends



Composition





















983120983137983143983141 983089983092 983151983142 983089983097









do classify objects















to the objections



983120983137983143983141 983089983093 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983094 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983095 983151983142 983089983097















structure



983120983137983143983141 983089983096 983151983142 983089983097














983120983137983143983141 983089983097 983151983142 983089983097








On Method



Bibliography



983120983137983143983141 983089983088 983151983142 983089983097












pp 222-225 and 236)












Heuristic procedure





983120983137983143983141 983089983089 983151983142 983089983097



























functionrdquo



983120983137983143983141 983089983090 983151983142 983089983097

























983120983137983143983141 983089983091 983151983142 983089983097


perceptions




defends



Composition





















983120983137983143983141 983089983092 983151983142 983089983097









do classify objects















to the objections



983120983137983143983141 983089983093 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983094 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983095 983151983142 983089983097















structure



983120983137983143983141 983089983096 983151983142 983089983097














983120983137983143983141 983089983097 983151983142 983089983097








On Method



Bibliography



983120983137983143983141 983089983089 983151983142 983089983097



























functionrdquo



983120983137983143983141 983089983090 983151983142 983089983097

























983120983137983143983141 983089983091 983151983142 983089983097


perceptions




defends



Composition





















983120983137983143983141 983089983092 983151983142 983089983097









do classify objects















to the objections



983120983137983143983141 983089983093 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983094 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983095 983151983142 983089983097















structure



983120983137983143983141 983089983096 983151983142 983089983097














983120983137983143983141 983089983097 983151983142 983089983097








On Method



Bibliography



983120983137983143983141 983089983090 983151983142 983089983097

























983120983137983143983141 983089983091 983151983142 983089983097


perceptions




defends



Composition





















983120983137983143983141 983089983092 983151983142 983089983097









do classify objects















to the objections



983120983137983143983141 983089983093 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983094 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983095 983151983142 983089983097















structure



983120983137983143983141 983089983096 983151983142 983089983097














983120983137983143983141 983089983097 983151983142 983089983097








On Method



Bibliography



983120983137983143983141 983089983091 983151983142 983089983097


perceptions




defends



Composition





















983120983137983143983141 983089983092 983151983142 983089983097









do classify objects















to the objections



983120983137983143983141 983089983093 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983094 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983095 983151983142 983089983097















structure



983120983137983143983141 983089983096 983151983142 983089983097














983120983137983143983141 983089983097 983151983142 983089983097








On Method



Bibliography



983120983137983143983141 983089983092 983151983142 983089983097









do classify objects















to the objections



983120983137983143983141 983089983093 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983094 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983095 983151983142 983089983097















structure



983120983137983143983141 983089983096 983151983142 983089983097














983120983137983143983141 983089983097 983151983142 983089983097








On Method



Bibliography



983120983137983143983141 983089983093 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983094 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983095 983151983142 983089983097















structure



983120983137983143983141 983089983096 983151983142 983089983097














983120983137983143983141 983089983097 983151983142 983089983097








On Method



Bibliography



983120983137983143983141 983089983094 983151983142 983089983097






























983120983137983143983141 983089983095 983151983142 983089983097















structure



983120983137983143983141 983089983096 983151983142 983089983097














983120983137983143983141 983089983097 983151983142 983089983097








On Method



Bibliography



983120983137983143983141 983089983095 983151983142 983089983097















structure



983120983137983143983141 983089983096 983151983142 983089983097














983120983137983143983141 983089983097 983151983142 983089983097








On Method



Bibliography



983120983137983143983141 983089983096 983151983142 983089983097














983120983137983143983141 983089983097 983151983142 983089983097








On Method



Bibliography



983120983137983143983141 983089983097 983151983142 983089983097








On Method



Bibliography

guidelines for research methodology

Documents