Religion21

Religion in the 21st Century

Fieldwork in
New Religious Movements

by George D. Chryssides

New religious movements are often described as bizarre and sinister. Direct acquaintance, however, often gives a different impression from media portrayals and even from some
academic writing - which is why fieldwork is important. After decades of undertaking fieldwork, George Chryssides discusses a number of his experiences, as well as studies by other scholars, and the issues that fieldwork involves.

* How do one’s personal beliefs and lifestyle impinge on field research?

* How involved should a participant-observer become?

* How should we assess what we are told by insiders and by ex-members?

* What ethical problems does field research create?

* How should we engage in online fieldwork, arising from
the increasing use of the Internet, accelerated by the Covid pandemic?

These are among the issues which this Element explores, and which will be of interest both to field researchers, and to those who read about the fieldwork of others.

Publication date: December 2023

For publisher's information, please click here.

About Cambridge Elements
an innovative concept in academic publishing.

Cambridge Elements combine the best features of books and journals to create a quick, concise publishing solution for researchers and readers in the fields of academic publishing and scholarly communication. They consist of original, succinct, authoritative, and peer-reviewed scholarly and scientific research, organised into focused series edited by leading scholars, and provide comprehensive coverage of the key topics in disciplines spanning the arts and sciences.

Conceived from the start for a digital environment, they provide a dynamic reference resource for graduate students, researchers, and practitioners.

Special Offer!

For a limited period this volume is available for free download, by following this link.