Talk:Soka Gakkai/Sources

Early historical and political studies: As is often the case in social science research, new fields of study often incorporate anecdotal evidence. Researchers draw conclusions drawn largely from media sources; interviews are important sources of information although they are not collected through validated sampling techniques. English-language anecdotal evidence about the Soka Gakkai began to accumulate in the 1960s and accerated in the 1970s. Among the scholars who contributed to early historical and political literature are: Beasley, Brannen, Hunt, Kitagawa, Ramseyer, Moos, Doherty, McFarland, Murata, and Fujiwara. Early research of the 1960s and 1970s tended to raise alarms about the Soka Gakkai. For example, McFarland critiqued in 1967 that Soka Gakkai is not democratic; it has no parliamentary procedure and no transparency, and he worried that the group is "fascistic."

Exegesis: Exegesis or hermeneutics is often the second wave of social science research. Scholars, their interest often piqued by prior anecdotal research, turn their attention to careful textual analyses of what exactly an organization and/or its leaders say or write. Among the early English language scholars exploring the Soka Gakkai in the 1970s and 1980s through this modality are Epp and Bethel. Scholars have also studied Ikeda's contributions to peace studies and international relationships.

Scholars are still conducting hermeneutical research on the writings of the Soka Gakkai and/or its leaders. Chilson analyzes Ikeda's diaries and autobiographical writings. There is extensive hermeneutical work on Ikeda's writings on education.

Qualitative research: Qualitative researchers attempt to collect data broadly through survey and interview methodology. Ethical researchers note the degree of consent, cooperation, and even funding given by of organizations under study so readers are alerted to any implicit bias. Starting in the 1990s, English-language research on the Soka Gakkai, conducted by religious historians and sociologists, began examining constituent organizations of the Soka Gakkai International but included broad discussions about the Soka Gakkai itself. Sociologist Macioti examined the Soka Gakkai in Italy. Sociologists Wilson and Dobbelaire investigated the Soka Gakkai in the United Kingdom. The Soka Gakkai in the United States was studied by Chappell and Hammond and Machacek. Metraux has written about the Soka Gakkai movements in Southeast Asia, Canada, and Australia. Clarke and Silva have studied the Soka Gakkai movement in Brazil. Fowler and Fowler discuss the Soka Gakkai in Wales

The findings of the above types of research are often tested in smaller and more specific settings through case studies. Researchers, "insiders" who have privileged access to subjects, conduct participant observation. In case studies there is usually much more narrow research questions. Tong examines the phenomenon of conversion in the Singapore Soka Gakkai movement. In an anthropological study Mette discusses the participation of Soka Gakkai youth in the political process. Ionescu conducted field research in Germany to view the process of accommodation. Jayeel Serrano Cornelio discusses the participation of Soka Gakkai youth in the cultural performances. Cornejo's case study of Soka Gakkai members in Spain examines religious accommodation in a predominantly Catholic society.

Interpretative studies: Noted scholars often conduct interpretative studies which combine their prolific experiences and research, extensive literature review, and on-site visits and interviews to develop reflections and theories. Seager and Strand conducted studies on the Soka Gakkai that utilize such methodology.