Methodology

Methodology

Mapping

 

During the first phase of the project, the project will undertake an unprecedented mapping exercise of social and religious institutions across fifteen fieldwork sites to develop a bird's-eye view of the religious hierarchy in each movement. The mapping will help understand the activity and landscape of the Muslim communities present.

Textual Analysis

 

Two full-time researchers are focused on textual analysis of publications, curricula and other works from the four different movements, both published and circulated within the European context and from their headquarters. Textual analysis of works and curricula will highlight the theological and moral concepts that are appealing to young Muslims.

Interviews

 

An ambitious number of interviews will be undertaken across the fifteen sites with followers and leaders of the movements. These interviews will create a deep, first-hand understanding of the appeal of the movements to their followers and to understand the institutional challenges and successes the leaders of the movements face.

Ethnographic Fieldwork

 

Rich ethnographic fieldwork will be conducted across the fifteen sites by the PI and other researchers. This approach will build an understanding of the various cultures of the communities and build a deeper analytical understanding of the context within which these movements operate.

Policies and procedures

Ethics

The project has been granted ethical approval by the Central University Research Ethics Committee (CUREC) ref. R76560/RE001 for its activities and will uphold the highest of ethical standards throughout.

Data Protection

The project takes the data protection of its subjects seriously, and to this end it has gone through a rigorous Data Protection Impact Assessment. The project abides by the standards set in the University of Oxford's Data Protection Policy.