A Variety of Reading Modes. Researching the Consumption/Reception of Media and Religion

Abstract

This article identifies three different perspectives on the study of media consumption/reception practices in the field of religion and media in order to develop a typology of methodological approaches. The different approaches are systematized in three types. The first focuses on the aspect of representation in its relationship with reception, with the researcher as the primary recipient. The second type proceeds in reverse, centering on reception/consumption and attending to representation in so far as it is at the basis of reception. In this type, informants are the primary recipients. The third type of methods focuses exclusively on consumption and reception processes, with the media being consumed not playing a significant role in the study. The conclusion addresses the limitations of the discussed types of methods in the field of media and religion, and advocates for combined approaches. It emphasizes the researcher’s role and responsibility in the analysis and argues that future research should focus on integrating cultural contexts to better understand the dynamics of media and religion.