Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion
Encyclopedia
The Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion (J Sci Study Relig) is a peer-reviewed journal, published by Wiley-Blackwell in the United States of America under the auspices of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion
, dedicated to publishing scholarly articles in the social sciences, including psychology
, sociology
and anthropology
, devoted to the study of religion. It is not a theology
journal, as its publications tend to be empirical papers
in the aforementioned disciplines, rather than papers assessing the truth or falsity, or otherwise attempting to clarify, theological doctrines. That said, the eminent theologian Paul Tillich
wrote a preface to the first edition, published in 1961. A former editor, Ralph W. Hood
, is a major name in the psychology of religion
, having published scales to assess religious experience
and mystical experience. Hood was succeeded as editor in 1999 by Ted Jelen, the first ever political scientist to edit the journal. Jelen was later succeeded as editor by sociologist Rhys Williams
. The current editor of the journal is Marie Cornwall
.
The 2008 impact factor of the journal was 0.907, 37 of the 99 sociology journals in Journal Citation Reports
.
Society for the Scientific Study of Religion
The Society for the Scientific Study of Religion was formed to advance research in the social scientific perspective on religious institutions and experiences.-Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion:...
, dedicated to publishing scholarly articles in the social sciences, including psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
, sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
and anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
, devoted to the study of religion. It is not a theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
journal, as its publications tend to be empirical papers
Empirical research
Empirical research is a way of gaining knowledge by means of direct and indirect observation or experience. Empirical evidence can be analyzed quantitatively or qualitatively...
in the aforementioned disciplines, rather than papers assessing the truth or falsity, or otherwise attempting to clarify, theological doctrines. That said, the eminent theologian Paul Tillich
Paul Tillich
Paul Johannes Tillich was a German-American theologian and Christian existentialist philosopher. Tillich was one of the most influential Protestant theologians of the 20th century...
wrote a preface to the first edition, published in 1961. A former editor, Ralph W. Hood
Ralph W. Hood
Ralph Wilbur Hood is a professor of psychology at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He received his BS at University of California, Los Angeles, an MS at California State College at Los Angeles , and a PhD at University of Nevada, Reno ....
, is a major name in the psychology of religion
Psychology of religion
Psychology of religion consists of the application of psychological methods and interpretive frameworks to religious traditions, as well as to both religious and irreligious individuals. The science attempts to accurately describe the details, origins, and uses of religious beliefs and behaviours...
, having published scales to assess religious experience
Religious experience
Religious experience is a subjective experience in which an individual reports contact with a transcendent reality, an encounter or union with the divine....
and mystical experience. Hood was succeeded as editor in 1999 by Ted Jelen, the first ever political scientist to edit the journal. Jelen was later succeeded as editor by sociologist Rhys Williams
Rhys H. Williams (sociologist)
Rhys H. Williams is Professor of Sociology and Chair of the Department of Sociology at Loyola University Chicago. He is also Director of the McNamara Center for the Social Study of Religion. His research interests span the fields of sociology, religious studies and political science...
. The current editor of the journal is Marie Cornwall
Marie Cornwall
Marie Cornwall is the editor of the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, a professor of sociology and women's studies at Brigham Young University and a former director of BYU's Women's Research Institute.-Biography:...
.
The 2008 impact factor of the journal was 0.907, 37 of the 99 sociology journals in Journal Citation Reports
Journal Citation Reports
Journal Citation Reports is an annual publication by the Healthcare & Science division of Thomson Reuters. It has been integrated with the Web of Knowledge, by Thomson Reuters, and is accessed from the Web of Science to JCR Web. It provides information about academic journals in the sciences and...
.