Why Religion Research Might Be Missing the Mark

The Arts & Humanities Citation Index (A&HCI) is a key tool for assessing research quality, especially in religion studies. However, it has some significant blind spots that could skew our understanding of the field. For starters, the number of religion-related records in the A&HCI has remained relatively stagnant. This stagnation is puzzling, considering the growing interest in religious studies. Additionally, the A&HCI often omits information about the authors' origins, which is crucial for identifying trends and influences in research.The top contributors to religion research in the A&HCI might also surprise you. Most of the research comes from a handful of journals, which raises questions about the index's comprehensiveness. If the A&HCI is used to evaluate the quality of religion research, these gaps could lead to an incomplete picture of the field. To address these issues, it's essential to recognize their existence first. Only then can we take steps to improve the A&HCI and ensure it accurately reflects the state of religion research.