Dear Readers,
I intend to research using 2 variables one of which is Religion or Religiosity. From Literature I Understand suitable proxies for this variable can be ,No. Of Mosques/Churches/Temples etc.
Please advise on a suitable proxy and advise whether I should split the data set on the basis of religions.
My main differentiation is between developing and developed countries, where Impact of religion can be studies on other variables.
Please also suggest an authenticated Data Source for Research.
The proxy must supply as much meaning and values as does religion but without fixed ideas and dogma to avoid clashes with heterodox views. In short, the proxy position must function like a working hypothesis that includes healthy skepticism.
As Dana said, the word Religion or Religiosity is extensive and is not limited solely to the number of sacred places.
Sacred places was just an example, similar to relegion's population ratio to total population for the year, I am asking for a measure that can objectively measured, in relation to other measures such as GDP, Inflation, FDI etc
What won’t work with using the number of places of worship as a proxy is that it doesn’t predict the number of regular attendees, nor the depth of piety of those who do and do not attend.
The difficulty with measuring 'religiosity' is the balance between seeking to find objective measure such as frequency-of-attendance and subjective ones such as asking potential interviewees to rank themselves. Both are valid exercises, and maybe a combination of the two is required. Of course, the danger is that this grows into an entire project of its own.
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