ABSTRACT
Religious and spiritual engagement has undergone multiple significant changes in recent decades. Researching Female Faith is a collection of essays based on recent and original field research conducted by the contributors, and informed by a variety of theoretical perspectives, into the faith lives of women and girls – broadly from within a Christian context.
Essays describe and recount original qualitative research that identifies, illuminates and enhances our understanding of key aspects of women’s and girls’ faith lives. Offered as a contribution to feminist practical and pastoral theology, the essays arise out of and feed back into a range of mainly UK pastoral and practical contexts. While the essays in this volume will contribute to an enhanced appreciation and analysis of female faith, the core focus is on feminist qualitative research methods and methodology. Thus, they demystify and illuminate the process of research, including features of research which are frequently under-examined.
The book is a first in bringing together a specific focus on feminist qualitative research methodology with the study of female faith lives. It will therefore be of great interest to students, academics and practitioners with interests in faith and gender in theology, religious studies and sociology.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part I|60 pages
Developing feminist methodologies
chapter 1|14 pages
‘Come as a girl’
chapter 3|16 pages
Weaving a web
chapter 4|11 pages
Living religion
part II|44 pages
Gathering data
chapter 5|15 pages
‘Sometimes you need a question’
chapter 6|15 pages
Exploring young adults’ faith lives through video diaries
chapter 7|12 pages
Using social media for feminist qualitative research
part III|61 pages
Analysing data
chapter 8|13 pages
Choosing the right key
chapter 9|14 pages
Listening for the ‘I’
chapter 10|16 pages
Wholly sound
chapter 11|16 pages
Song of a voiceless person
part IV|30 pages
Practising reflexivity