The Changing Role of Religion in Societies Emerging from Covid-19. Research Project Methodology

This working paper presents the comprehensive methodological framework of a transnational research project examining the changing role of religion in societies emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic. The study compares four contexts—Canada, Germany, Ireland/Northern Ireland, and Poland. The research employs a mixed-methods approach organized around three core areas: discourses about health, illness, and science; relationships with governments and policymakers; and digital innovations. Within each context, researchers analyzed two majority religious groups (typically Roman Catholic and Protestant churches) and one to two minority groups (including Islam, Judaism, Orthodox Christianity, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Humanism, and the Anthroposophical Society). The methodology integrated four complementary approaches: (1) qualitative content analysis of official public documents; (2) analysis of religious media articles; (3) online questionnaires distributed to religious leaders and members; and (4) episodic interviews across all contexts. All qualitative data were analyzed using a unified deductive coding system developed from the three core research areas, ensuring comparability across different languages, religious traditions, and document types. This methodological framework enabled systematic comparison at three levels: between majority and minority religious groups, across different national contexts, and among varying theological and social positions. The design balances standardized comparative analysis with context-specific insights, addressing both official institutional positions and individual member perspectives. This paper provides detailed documentation of sampling procedures, data collection instruments, coding systems, and analytical approaches to support transparent and replicable research on religion’s evolving societal role during global crises.