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Public Sociology

Public Sociology

Ethical Considerations in Visual Research

Roman R. Williams Originally published on April 15, 2015 in Studying Congregations. Last year the school my children attend was in the midst of a capital campaign, which included high quality brochures and a promotional video. The school brought families and donors together for an…
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June 12, 2019
Public Sociology

Engaging Congregations with Photovoice

Roman R. Williams Originally published on February 10, 2016 in Studying Congregations. Photovoice (PV) is a technique that enables researchers to identify needs and stimulate social change by giving voice to groups and/or issues that may otherwise be voiceless. The acrostic V.O.I.C.E. is sometimes used…
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June 10, 2019
FeaturedPublic Sociology

Congregational Snapshots: Understanding and Engaging Congregations through Cell Phone Photographs

Roman R. Williams Originally published on November 25, 2014 in Studying Congregations. Images are everywhere and everyone—from my school-aged children to professionals schooled in digital media production—is making them. Digital cameras are commonplace, standard equipment in cell phones. These devices record countless photographs and videos,…
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June 3, 2019
FeaturedPublic Sociology

The Sociology of Worship

Roman R. Williams & Mark T. Mulder Originally published on October 17, 2016, in the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. Overview Worship stands as the central act of congregational life. Some have described congregations as organizations whose primary product is the worship service. While churches…
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October 17, 2016
Public Sociology

Walking with Cameras

Roman R. Williams Originally published on April 20, 2016 in Studying Congregations. A variation of the walking tour is a great way to explore a congregation’s context: walking with cameras. These days most people have access to photographic equipment in the form of a mobile…
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April 22, 2016
Public Sociology

From Evaluation to Engagement

Roman R. Williams Originally published on January 22, 2015 in Studying Congregations. Just as the fall semester was coming to an end, I received an email from Program Officer (and friend) Khary Bridgewater that was simultaneously exciting and daunting: KB:   I am at the Grand…
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January 22, 2015