Description
The Values in Scholarship on Religion (VISOR) Project is an empirical initiative aimed at understanding the values, methodologies, and academic commitments of scholars studying religion.
The project examines how different academic traditions—ranging from the humanities to the sciences—approach the study of religion, particularly in relation to methodological naturalism and theological perspectives. By collecting large-scale survey data, VISOR provides a comprehensive map of the scholarly landscape, offering insights into the divisions and commonalities among researchers in religious studies.
Methodology
The VISOR Project relies on survey-based research, with data collected from scholars affiliated with major academic organizations, including the American Academy of Religion (AAR), the North American Society for the Scientific Study of Religion (NASSSR), the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion (SSSR), and other related scholarly associations. Participants completed surveys assessing their methodological preferences, scholarly values, and openness to various forms of evidence in religious studies. Key components of the methodology include:
- The Scholarly Values Questionnaire (SVQ): A survey adapted from the Schwartz Values Scale, modified for the academic study of religion.
- The Methodological Naturalism–Methodological Secularism (MNMS) Scale: A tool measuring scholars’ openness to naturalistic explanations versus theological or supernatural claims in academic research.
- Demographic and Institutional Data Collection: To compare differences across academic traditions and institutions.
The research was conducted over 15 months, with participants completing surveys online. Statistical analyses were performed to identify trends and correlations across different academic groups.
Impact
The VISOR Project has revealed critical insights into the landscape of religious studies, particularly the divide between empirical social science approaches and theologically influenced scholarship. Some key findings include:
- Differences Between AAR and SSSR Members: Scholars affiliated with the AAR favor humanities-based methods, while SSSR members are more inclined toward empirical social science approaches.
- Attitudes Toward Theological Claims: The majority of scholars surveyed reject theological claims as academic evidence, though hesitations exist within broader organizations like AAR.
- Emerging Trends in Religious Studies: Younger, more diverse scholars are shifting the field toward more secular, empirical methods, pressuring institutions to adapt.
These insights have been presented at major academic conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals, shaping ongoing debates about the nature and future of religious studies.
Resources & Further Reading
Taves, A., Wildman, W. J., Shults, F. L., & Paloutzian, R. F. (2022). Scholarly Values, Methods, and Evidence in the Academic Study of Religion. Method & Theory in the Study of Religion, 34(4), 378-406. https://doi.org/10.1163/15700682-bja10073.
Shults, Fount LeRon; Wildman, Wesley. “Response: Field of Dreams: What Do NAASR Scholars Really Want? On the Subject of Religion – Charting the Fault Lines of a Field of Study.” Equinox eBooks Publishing, United Kingdom. p. 195-207 Oct 2022. https://www.equinoxpub.com/home/view-chapter/?id=41087.