| Popis: |
Computational research methods are increasingly proving their worth within the academic study of religion/s. These valuable tools can operate in a manner complementary to and supportive of the interpretative dimensions of the study of religion/s. They can also function in a generative way, helping scholars discover and refine important hypotheses. They are useful for articulating theories in detail, which helps to promote evaluation, correction, and improvement of those theories. Three classes of advanced computational approaches are discussed in the chapter: collaborative, longitudinal, and massive database technologies; natural language processing technologies; and computational modeling and simulation technologies. Each class of advanced computational approaches is internally diverse, and we document this internal diversity with many examples and case studies. Scholars and scientists who study religion typically will benefit from working on teams containing experts in the particular computational techniques important for any given research project. |
