PRACTICAL THEOLOGY AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS

"Practical Theology and Qualitative Research examines methodologies of the social sciences and questions how they can enable the task of theological reflection. The book traces the movement from practical theology as applied theology, i.e. a discipline that simply takes data from the other theological disciplines, towards a model which understands the practical theological task in terms of the theology of practice. The authors examine the relationship between qualitative and quantitative methods and highlight the significance of both for the task of practical theology. They also take the reader through the actual process of developing and carrying out a research project using the author's own research as case study examples. Case studies include: the rise in spirituality; the decline in church attendance, evidence-based medicine compared to needs-led assessments, the growth in chaplaincy and how it is understood as separate from parish ministry."--Jacket.