A Theoretical Framework for the Analysis of Digital Society Using Qualitative and Quantitative Methods: Relational Sociology of Religion Dijital Toplumun Nitel ve Nicel Yöntemlerle Analizine Yönelik Kuramsal Bir Çerçeve: İlişkisel Din Sosyolojisi
Mutefekkir, cilt.13, sa.25, ss.386-409, 2026 (Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 13 Sayı: 25
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.30523/mutefekkir.1871238
- Dergi Adı: Mutefekkir
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus, ATLA Religion Database, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, MLA International Bibliography, Social Sciences Abstracts, Sociology Source Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.386-409
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Qualitative, Quantitative, Research Method, Research Process, Sociology of Religion
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Erciyes Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Qualitative and quantitative methods in the sociology of religion have undergone significant thematic and theoretical shifts driven by developments in virtual and digital domains. Therefore, at a time when the digital domain is expanding dominantly, it has facilitated the emergence of new paradigms for the examination of digital spaces constructed in virtual environments, shifting the focus away from structure-agency-based institutional frameworks.Among these emerging paradigms, relational sociology of religion occupies a central position. In this study, the theoretical foundations, procedural stages, and technical characteristics of qualitative and quantitative methods used in sociological studies of religion are analytically examined and systematically grounded. Subsequently, the significance of relational sociology of religion for future research is emphasized. The study is intended to inform the methodological orientations of undergraduate and graduate research candidates in academic writing. Additionally, it provides a systematic analysis within the framework of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, employing the perspective of relational sociology of religion as an emergent theoretical response to social change. In this regard, the investigation of emerging phenomena such as virtual religious groups, online religious communities, digital religiosity, digital religious influencers, online worship, the virtualization of sacred space, digital migration and religion, and virtual religious identities is crucial for a sociological reading of future society. The study focuses on how academic texts should be constructed through new paradigms in the academic processes of undergraduate and graduate students, utilizing the techniques of both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The articles is structured based on the documentation technique within qualitative research methods and is developed within an interpretive, verstehen-oriented framework.