Mixing Research and Religion: Findings and Methodological Insights From an Exploratory Sequential Mixed-Methods Study

• In Event: Saturday Roundtable 7:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Crafting Mixed-Methods Research Designs for Unique Educational Contexts and Purposes (Table 4)

Abstract

Since the times of Thomas Aquinas and Augustine of Hippo, the Roman Catholic Church has attempted to reconcile faith and reason. Furthermore, religious organizations inevitably confront empirical questions needing to be researched. This paper focuses on a mixed-methods study conducted jointly by two Catholic university faculty members (who are not, themselves, Roman Catholics), two recently graduated doctoral students from the same Catholic university, and a Cardinal who serves as the bishop for the diocese in which the study took place. The paper presents quantitative and qualitative findings about the tensions between inclusiveness/acceptance and doctrinal adherence in the diocese revealed by the exploratory sequential mixed-methods study and discusses challenges associated with mixing not only research methods but also research and religion.

Authors

• Robert B. Donmoyer, University of San Diego

• Fred Galloway, University of San Diego

• Robert Ehnow, Catholic Diocese of San Diego

• Craig Goodman

• Robert W. McElroy, Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego