Human Subjects Exemption Paperwork

Purpose/Driving Questions: What is the role of religious, charismatic leadership (as delineated by sociologist Pierre Bourdieu) in encouraging particular behaviors within a congregation and forms of engagement with the larger social and political community? How do spiritual leaders mobilize their constituencies outside the bounds of the church, synagogue, or mosque? What are the roles of religious institutions and faith systems more generally in initiating/developing broader social processes?

Specific Research Question: How are various urban religious spaces in Amsterdam—namely mosques, synagogues, and churches—used, both physically and discursively, to address the issues of their respective communities and to negotiate between religious unity and metropolitan diversity?

Human Subjects Component: We qualify for an exemption under two categories: two and four. Part of our methodology includes analyzing and dissecting the materials an organization makes available for public consumption. We define “available for public consumption” as materials that is likely to be read by the external community (i.e. pamphlets, brochures, web material, and literature geared towards citizens outside the congregation) or distributed widely through various public venues. Thus, we qualify under category four.

We also intend to interview spiritual and administrative leaders in three institutions: a church, a synagogue, and a mosque. We will essentially be asking the principal leaders of these organizations the following questions:

Please briefly tell us about your congregation in terms of your:
-denomination
-history
-social community
-What activities/groups are open to members?
-community involvement

How has your location in an urban area shaped your congregation?

What do you feel is the biggest challenge posed to your community?
-How do you advise those in your congregation to approach it?

How do you define community?
-internally
-externally

We feel that these questions are broad and fair. We have been careful to design interview questions that are neither pointed nor loaded with our biases and misconceptions. Considering that the role of many spiritual leaders is to inform the larger community about their religion and congregation, we do not feel we are violating their rights as citizens nor do we feel we are asking unusual or uncomfortable questions.

Because we are not tape-recording these interviews (we plan to take careful notes) and we plan to conceal the true identity of the leaders and institutions (Pastor John Doe of Church X) in any publications or presentations of our research, we believe we qualify for an exemption under category two. We considered the possibility that these leaders could be indirectly traced if we released the denomination of the church, so we either a) will ensure that there a multiple [Lutheran] churches within the Amsterdam city limits and that our specific institutions is not easily identifiable or b) if we choose to study an institution that is easily recognizable, we will not release the denomination. We do not intend to publish any identifying characteristics (exact location, one-of-a-kind or otherwise extremely identifiable architecture, or anything unique to the organization or leader) and will maintain confidentiality and ensure the privacy of those involved.