RT Article
T1 On Method: A Foundation for Empirical Research on Implicit Religion
JF Implicit religion
VO 15
IS 4
SP 407
OP 422
A1 Schnell, Tatjana
LA English
PB Equinox
YR 2012
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/169029342X
AB Implicit Religion can be used as a hermeneutical tool for interpreting reality (IR-as-tool), or it can aim to describe, explain and predict aspects of the social world (IR-as-theory). The second approach demands theformulation ofa theory, including a definitional core and related assumptions. IR-as-theory can be evaluated through methodical empirical investigation. In this article, a foundation for empirical research on IR is outlined. A post-empiricist, constructivist epistemological backgroundfor doing research on IR is suggested. The needfor explication and definition is argued, as is the necessity of anchoring IR in nomological frameworks by determining convergence with and divergencefrom related concepts. The process ofoperationalization is described, taking into account different levels (content, structure,function) and units (individual, organizational, institutional, social) of analysis. Finally, the requirement of testability is addressed. Th determine a theory's viability, theoretical claims have to be translated into empirically falsifiable hypotheses. Falsification can indicate biased or erroneous assumptions, whereas accumulation ofsupportfor theoretically deduced hypoth- eses corroborates the viability of the theory. In conclusion, it is proposed that, although initially reducing the complexity of IR, empirical research will enhance the understanding of Implicit Religion, raise valuable new questions, inspire further exploration and suggest constructive applications of the theory of IR
K1 EMPIRICAL proof of God
K1 Empiricism
K1 HERMENEUTICS in Christianity
K1 Implicit Religion
K1 Implicit Religiosity
K1 SOCIAL informatics
K1 Empirical Research
K1 Method
K1 Theory
DO 10.1558/imre.v15i4.407