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Parish MissionResearch Methods

Dr Birute BRILIUTE03/07/2010

Research to make a difference to your work

Summary

This part of the session will provide a short introduction to survey research and statistical analysis. It covers sampling, questionnaire design, survey interviewing and questionnaire construction, and takes a brief look at qualitative methods.

It will introduce you to simple tables and tests of significance, and analysis of tables.

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Aims

To draw together themes from previous modules To offer a guided study approach to the students in

order to introduce them in to methods in social, pastoral, psychological and religious/spiritual research

To help them construct and conduct a research project (e.g. a survey), which demonstrates the student’s understanding of principles and their practical outworking in Parish life.

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session students should be able to:

outline the range of methods that are used in social and religious research and place the survey style within it;

design a research project on a topic of your own choice in the survey style of research;

discuss the legal and ethical implications of your research;

Learning Outcomes

You will learn to: extract and present information from

published Church/parish research statistics; carry out a brief literature review for it; carry out tabular analysis of a data set; summarize and present results in a variety of

formats

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Why to do a Survey in the Parish?

Before starting a research you have to ask yourself few important questions:

What I want to achieve with it?

Are my research goals moral and ethical?

Will it not harm/offend anyone?

Will this work make any difference in my parish?

Am I ready to face possible difficulties in my work?

Do I seek to offer recommendations for a better serviceIn the parish?

What are my other motives to do the research?

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What do you want from your research?

What context/situation needs examining?

What is the background in existing thinking (literature review etc.)

What information do you want to find out?

What learning are you seeking?

What questions do you need to ask?

How do you need to ask them?

Am I trying to explore the deeper meaning….by

….talking with each

other about

all these things

that had happened…..

What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’

‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know …..

Listening & hearing what they say… Leaving my own ‘agenda’ behind…. Is my starting point is theirs starting point?… Am I ready to follow them ?…

That the Church lives in a pluralistic and secularised world

Different forms of unbelief and religious indifference

Vibrant expressions of religious pluralism

Cultural pluralism Will my work bring to the

people: A Catechesis or Evangelization impregnated with the spirit of the Gospel?

‘language adapted to the times and to the hearers.’

General Directory

for catechesis, 193-194

Looking at our situation, am I ready to face:

Looking at our situation

Pick and mix societyWhat do you think are two of the major problems with a ‘pick and mix’

approach to Catholicism and what opportunities for a new approach might they present?

We stand on thresholdsName three attitudes (not actions), which we need to develop if we are to

meet people as they stand on various thresholds.

Don’t be afraid of: Searching for God on the

boundaries Counter values to the gospel Positive and negative aspects of

the media Mobile physically and mentally An individualistic society

Open your eyes to the world….

Get my children to a good school?

Deal with my boss?

Find a companion/wife/husband…

Cope with my loss…

To adopt a child or to have my own

To help my aging parents

To deal with my teenagers

Can your Church help me?

Looking at our situation: be ready to face difficult questions:

With my mortgage

Feed my kids

Get a job

Find the place to live

What is your faith about?

Do not start with your doctrines!

Show me the way to contentment, integrity and fulfilment…

Show me the meaning in my life

Yes, our Church can help you with all of that. I will be a companion

on your journey…

Embrace the realityDo not close your eyes…

Deal with it…

These people are hungry to hear a Good News…

Ask yourself: How can we help people to see where God is active in our world?

‘The fundamental importance is the dialogical approach which, while recognising that all are called to the obedience of faith, (Rom 1:5), respects the basic freedom and autonomy of adults and encourages them to engage in an open and cordial dialogue. In this way they can make known their needs and participate, as they should, as subjects or

agents in their own catechesis and that of others.’ Adult Catechesis in the Christian Community: Some principles and Guidelines, 57

What might God be saying?‘The joy and hope, the grief and anguish of the men

of our time, especially of those who are poor or afflicted in any way, are the joy and hope, the grief and anguish of the followers of Christ as well.’

Vatican II The Church in the Modern World, 1

Discover where God is at workFinding the right sort of approachEntering the brokenness and tension of people’s livesResponding to uncertaintyHow we might be asked to change

Our attitude‘Faith is a gift destined to grow in the hearts of believers. Adhering to Jesus Christ, in fact, sets in motion a process of continuing conversion, which lasts for the whole of life.’

General Directory for Catechesis, 56

We cannot teach everything Mature catechesis – respecting differences

Letting go in faith Accepting brokenness Respect God’s catechetical activity Journeys which meet Affirming what is known Looking for the good

Challenging in love Letting go Leave the door ajar We learn after the event

Do not be afraid…

Do not feel inadequate…

Looking at our situation

Feel strong in your own faith…

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Research methods

Qualitative vs Quantative research methods

Quantative How many parishioners (how often) attend the Sunday Eucharist?

QualitativeWhat are the views of parishioners from various social and economical as well as cultural backgrounds?

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Quantative versus Qualitative Key Differences

Quantitative Research Information. Typified by...

Qualitative Research Information. Typified by...

Larger samples Smaller samples

Statistically valid Directional findings

Analyses numbers – how many think what? Analyses thoughts and feelings

Closed questioning techniques (less opportunity to ask ‘why?’)

Open questioning techniques

Who thinks what? (Measuring) Why do people think/behave as they do?

(Explaining)

Analyzed in aggregate

Allows us to provide anecdotal type information – for example (with permission of the respondent), we can highlight case study examples for ‘interesting’ understanding of liturgy/parish culture, etc.

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Qualitative vs Quantitative Research

• Qualitative research involves analysis of data such as words (e.g., from interviews), pictures (e.g., video), or objects (e.g., an artifact).

• Quantitative research involves analysis of numerical data.

• The personality / thinking style of the researcher and/or the culture of the organization is under-recognized as a key factor in preferred choice of methods.

• Overly focusing on the debate of "qualitative versus quantitative" frames the methods in opposition.  It is important to focus also on how the techniques can be integrated, such as in mixed methods research.  More good can come of social science researchers developing skills in both realms than debating which method is superior.

Key Points:

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Some Examples of Quantative Research

Gifts and Talents Survey Questionaire

Part I. Things I Have Done! I have the following skills/talents/experience; these are things I have done! Please mark the ones you are good in:

___ Working with children___ Working with other teens___ Working with adults___ Working with the elderly___ Working with the disabled___ Working with another culture___ Working with the poor/disadvantaged___ Visiting people who are home-bound___ Working with the sick___ Hospitality

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Some Examples of Quantative Research

Snapshot of the Religious Landscape of the United States: the Results

By all accounts, the United States is among the most religiously active and diverse nations in the world. There are currently over 350,000 congregations in the U.S., spanning the world’s religions and denominations. This snapshot provides a quick picture of American religiosity, faith institution membership, religious-driven giving and volunteering, and regional religious differences. It allows local leaders to reflect on their own community’s religious traditions and identities in relation to the demographics of other communities and the nation at large.

Religiosity: More than 90% of Americans believe in some sort of higher power. Nearly 9 out of 10 Americans consider religion “very important” or “fairly important” in their lives.

Faith Institution Membership: Nearly 7 in 10 Americans are members of a church or synagogue.It has been historically true that between 35 and 40% of Americans have probably participated in their faith community with some degree of regularity

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Research Methods: the summary

Quantitative Qualitative

Numbers (Quantity) Words, images, ideas

Measurable/Empirical Stories, thoughts, feelings

Closed Questions Open Questions

The stuff you can put in a graph

The things you can best describe in an essay

Statistical analysis Discovery, explanation, directions

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Which Research Method to chose?

Quantitative: How many RCIA

candidates did you have in 2010?

Qualitative: Why was RCIA good

this year?

Most worthwhile research has elements of both Qualitative and

Quantitative

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Typical Research process

1. Awareness of area that needs study

2. Possession of some initial questions

3. Review of what is already out there in the field

4. Prepare survey/questionnaire

Draft Pilot

5. Introductory letter (Ethics and legalities)

6. Roll out survey/questionnaire

7. Analyse results8. Qualitative reflection

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Reading the Data: Understanding qualitative

research and data analysis software

The Qualitive Research: Qualitative research uses unstructured information – like field notes, videos, transcripts and audio recordings, instead of numbers to arrive at conclusions.

For more advanced Qualitative research data analysis you are advised to use NVIVO software:http://www.qsrinternational.com

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Reading the Data: Understanding qualitative research and data analysis software

Import, sort and analyze audio files, videos, digital photos, Word, PDF, rich text and plain text documents. Work with transcripts or work without them, analyzing material straight from audio and video files.  Or create transcripts or text files in the software as you go. Work with material in any language and choose to work with an English, French, German, Spanish, Simplified Chinese or Japanese user interface. Query your data with a powerful state-of-the-art search engine. Graphically display project information, connections and findings using models and charts. Share files and findings with colleagues who don't have NVivo, using HTML web pages. Merge separate projects and still identify which work was completed by each team member.

NVIVO will help you to:

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Reading the Data: Understanding Quantative research and data analysis software

The Quantative Research: Quantative research uses structured information – like closed or semi-closed questions, numbers to evaluate intensity of the question. It always the numbers that arrive at conclusions.

For more advanced Quantative research data analysis you are advised to use SPSS software:

http://webdb.ucs.ed.ac.uk/eucscourses/co

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Reading the Data: Understanding Quantative research and data analysis software

You can also use the Microsoft Excel

positive answerknowledge of faith

17%

liturgy1%

morality3%

engagement6%

prayer8%

mission8%

spirit8%

total49%

knowledge of faith

liturgy

morality

engagement

prayer

mission

spirit

total

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Bibliography

Stephen B. Bevans Constants in Context: A Theology of Mission for Today (Orbis Maryknoll 2004)

Roger P. Schroeder What is the Mission of the Church: A guide for Catholics? (Orbis Maryknoll, 2008)

Philip Knights and Andrea Murray Evangelisation in England and Wales (Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales , 2002)

Philip Knights Changing Evangelisation: Themes and Stories from Catholics in local Mission (CTBI, London, 2007

Anne Richards et al Foundations for Mission (CTBI, London 2010)

Recommended weblinks: Qualitative versus Quantitative -

http://www.gifted.uconn.edu/siegle/research/Qualitative/qualquan.htm - a table (similar to above), summarizing characteristics of qualitative and quantitative research in more detail

Qualitative versus Quantitative Design - http://www.kelcom.igs.net/~nhodgins/quant_qual.html - another table (like above)

The Qualitative versus Quantitative Debate - http://writing.colostate.edu/references/research/gentrans/pop2f.cfm - good overview, but the layout is flat and difficult to skim-read

Qualitative vs Quantitative analysis - http://www.ling.lancs.ac.uk/monkey/ihe/linguistics/corpus3/3qual.htm - reasonable overview, with linguistics focus