Fieldwork in New Religious Movements

New religious movements are often portrayed as bizarre and sinister, but direct acquaintance can give a different impression. George Chryssides discusses the issues involved in field research, such as personal beliefs and lifestyle impingement, participant-observer involvement, ethical problems, and online fieldwork. These issues are of interest to field researchers and those who read about the fieldwork of others.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 84 pages
Publication date: 22 February 2024
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

New religious movements are frequently portrayed in the media and in academic writing as bizarre and sinister. However, direct acquaintance with these movements often yields a different impression than what is depicted in these sources. After decades of conducting fieldwork, author George Chryssides discusses his own experiences, as well as the studies of other scholars, and the challenges that come with conducting fieldwork.

One of the key issues that fieldwork involves is how personal beliefs and lifestyle choices can impact the research. Researchers must consider how their own values and beliefs may influence their interpretation of the data they collect and how they interact with the participants in the study. For example, a researcher who holds religious beliefs that differ from those of the participants may need to be cautious about imposing their beliefs on the study or causing harm to the participants.

Another issue that fieldwork presents is the level of involvement that a participant-observer should have. While it is important to be respectful and non-intrusive, researchers may also need to become more involved in the lives of the participants to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences and perspectives. This can involve spending extended periods of time with the participants, participating in their daily activities, and developing close relationships with them.

Assessing the credibility of what insiders and ex-members tell researchers is another challenge that fieldwork presents. Researchers must be cautious about accepting information at face value and must consider the potential biases and motivations of the sources. This can involve conducting background checks on the sources, questioning their claims, and seeking out multiple perspectives on the same issue.

Ethical problems are another significant issue that fieldwork creates. Researchers must consider the potential harm that their research may cause to the participants and must take steps. This can involve obtaining informed consent from the participants, ensuring that the research is conducted in a respectful and non-exploitative manner, and protecting the privacy and confidentiality of the participants.

The increasing use of the Internet and the COVID-19 pandemic have led to the emergence of online fieldwork. This involves conducting research and data collection through digital platforms and social media. While online fieldwork has its advantages, such as increased accessibility and cost-effectiveness, it also presents unique challenges. For example, researchers must be cautious about the potential for bias and misinformation in online sources, must ensure that the participants in the study are aware of the risks and benefits of participating in the study, and must develop strategies for protecting the privacy and confidentiality of the participants.

In conclusion, fieldwork is a complex and challenging process that requires careful consideration of a range of issues. Personal beliefs and lifestyle choices, the level of involvement that a participant-observer should have, assessing the credibility of sources, ethical problems, and the emergence of online fieldwork are all important considerations that researchers must address to conduct effective and ethical fieldwork. By approaching fieldwork with a critical eye research, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the experiences and perspectives of the participants and contribute to the field of social science.

Weight: 135g
ISBN-13: 9781009278737