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<h4>Etiquette Considerations</h4> The following suggestions have been drawn from guidelines for student site visits prepared by faculty from different disciplines, including SCU’s Religious Studies Department, from resources at other universities, including the Pluralism Project’s “Guidelines for Research” , from congregations themselves, and from organizations engaged in field--and oral history--research. - First impressions are important. You are conducting research under the auspices of Santa Clara University, which means you represent the university to the public with whom you interact. Plus, you also may be the first point of contact for the Local Religion Project.
- Identify yourself as a student at SCU when you call or visit, be prepared to explain your courses (and LRP as laid out above)—but do so always from the perspective of your role as a student in this course, and what you are trying to learn. While it can happen, don’t count on just showing up to be productive.
- As noted above, some sites will have set programs or an outreach coordinator for visitors, but not all—especially smaller ones—have this. You should always be aware that the persons you are contacting have a mission and “to do” list that does not include, helping students with research projects.
- While e-mail may work in some cases, a phone call or even a visit during “business hours” is recommended for an initial contact. In some cases this initial contact may be difficult; be persistent, patient and creative. Depending on the size of the organization, you may be referred to other individuals beyond the initial contact, so try to be clear and precise about your interests and what you would like to do—for example, a visit to observe a worship service is different from seeking permission to film or photograph portions of a community festival; and a meeting with a community leader to learn more about the community’s history and governance is different from trying to make contact with community members for interviews.
- Members of your research team will likely be making more than one visit to complete the project, and over the course of the project you might be doing different types of activity—interviewing, photographing, observing. You should always be clear ahead of time about the activity you hope to complete (and as stressed below, secure permission--showing up unannounced with video cameras is a good way to alienate people and/or get arrested.) At the same time, you should be open to—and even solicit—suggestions from your contacts about how to best understand their community. Students should also be prepared for those occasions when individuals may want to engage you in discussion or debate about hypotheses guiding your project.
- Once you make contact and visit the site, you should be aware that you are a visitor and guest. You should, for example, demonstrate respect for the worship service, sacred space, informal social activities, and the like, no matter how different or familiar they may appear to you. The background work you will have conducted should clue you in on the community and particular practices of which you should be aware. Think about appropriate and practical clothing (attire that errs on the side of modesty is recommended; consider not wearing larger jewelry pieces you may be accustomed to wearing, especially if religious in nature; consider loose fitting clothes for services like a Zen sit that may require you to sit on a floor, or shoes that can easily be removed.). Determine whether the research team should attend as a group or in smaller teams. You may even raise questions along these lines with your contact, and be sure to ask questions you have that were not answered in the background material you have consulted. Be prepared to leave items at the door—for example, removing shoes is common in many places of worship, and the Jain Center asks visitors to remove items made of leather before entering the hall.
- While visiting a worship service, observe the practices of community members, and when appropriate follow their example. If everyone is taking off their shoes at the door, offering a particular greeting, or speaking in hushed tones, follow suit. If unsure, ask a member of the community; inquiries often should be directed to a person of the same sex.
- Ask for permission before taking photographs, videotaping, or tape recording in any religious center. Avoid talking or note taking during a worship service. Don't take out pen and paper, camera, or tape recorder, unless you have made quite certain that it would not be intrusive or rude. Use this as an occasion to sharpen your powers of observation.
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