Quality Criteria And Indicators For Research In Theology-What To Do With Quantitative Measures?

In the work in progress report we would like to present preliminary results of our research project "Resource-based instrument for describing and evaluating research in the humanities and the social sciences as exemplified by theology". Using a bottom-up approach that strongly involves the researchers we have worked to define criteria that are fit to adequately describe research (mapping of research activities, description of characteristics of the discipline) and evaluate research quality in theology.We present the criteria set that we have thus developed and discuss the most likely areas as well as the challenges of its future application. One challenge in the application of the criteria set is certainly the diversity within the field of theology. Because theologians try to answer different research questions, use different research methodologies, have different audiences and intended research outcomes, researchers from the different theological sub-disciplines (exegetical theology, historical theology, systematic theology, practical theology) judge the importance of a part of the criteria differently. We also find differences between researchers from catholic and protestant faculties. Furthermore, while the majority of the - rather abstract - criteria were found suitable by the researchers, there is a reluctance to further specify them (in the form of indicators) for concrete scenarios of application and a major aversion to quantitative measures per se.