- How were the secondary sources selected, and what criteria were used to ensure their relevance and credibility?
Secondary sources were selected based on their relevance to the project's themes, authoritative authorship, peer-reviewed status, and diversity of perspectives. Criteria included scholarly merit, linguistic diversity, and temporal coverage to ensure comprehensive analysis.
- What measures were taken to ensure the comprehensive coverage of secondary sources across the multiple languages?
Multilingual team members ensured comprehensive coverage by sourcing materials in multiple languages relevant to the studied regions. This approach aimed to capture diverse narratives without linguistic bias.
- How does the content analysis methodology account for the context in which the data was produced?
Content analysis incorporated an examination of the socio-political and historical contexts of the data, recognizing that the meaning and impact of religious narratives are deeply influenced by their specific contexts.
- What steps are taken to address potential biases in the secondary sources?
Critical engagement with sources included cross-referencing information, considering the publication source's reputation, and incorporating diverse viewpoints to mitigate potential biases inherent in secondary sources.
- How does the project handle the translation and interpretation of content from multiple languages?
The repository relied on our experts' translations and their contextual expertise to ensure accurate translation and interpretation of content, maintaining the nuanced meaning of religious terminology and concepts across languages.
- What mechanisms are in place to validate findings from content analysis of secondary sources?
Findings from multiple sources were synthesized through thematic analysis to identify common patterns and differences. The data in this repository represent narratives - not necessarily "factually accurate" in the traditional sense - but relevant given the context in which they were produced, and the role they played in shaping perceptions, attitudes, and actions around the military conflicts.
- How does the project address the temporal dynamics of the conflicts being studied, especially considering the changing nature of religious influence over time?
The chosen time frame, which focuses on the periods encompassing the Georgia conflict in 2008, the ongoing Ukraine conflict beginning in 2014, and the Second Karabakh War in 2020, was strategically chosen for several compelling reasons. First, these periods mark significant turning points where religious influence on conflict can be observed, providing a clear window into how religious narratives evolve in response to geopolitical shifts. This timeframe allows for a concentrated analysis of contemporary conflicts where the interplay between religion and geopolitics is both pronounced and accessible through available data. Second, by focusing on these specific conflicts, the repository gives opportunity to scholars to examine the ways in which religious motivations and justifications have shifted and adapted to the changing nature of warfare and political landscapes. Finally, the strategic temporal focus ensures that the findings offer valuable insights into the mechanisms through which religion can serve as both a catalyst for conflict and a potential pathway to reconciliation, thereby providing a more profound and actionable understanding of religious influences in contemporary geopolitical conflict.
- What ethical considerations have been made in the selection and analysis of secondary sources, especially when dealing with sensitive topics such as religion and conflict?
In conducting our research, particularly when dealing with the sensitive intersection of religion and conflict, we adhered strictly to the ethical regulations of the countries in which the data was collected. Our commitment to ethical standards was reflected in our reliance on secondary, publicly available data to ensure that we did not put participants at risk through direct engagement. Recognizing the potential risks associated with this type of research, especially in contexts with heightened sensitivity or political implications, we took proactive measures to protect our team members. This included anonymizing our team member in Russia from the beginning of our project.
For any further questions or clarifications, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Tornike Metreveli at tornike.metreveli@unisg.ch