To Count or Understand Muslim Young People?

Abstract

This article is a kind of methodological self-reflection on results of the research Dynamics of religion in the context of the changing ethnic identity of young people in the Republic of Tatarstan in the 2000s (RGNF, grant 08-03-00272a). As such it sums up data of quantitative sociological surveys of young people carried out in the republic in 2001, 2004 and 2009. On the other hand, it attempts to discuss data obtained by the in-depth qualitative interviews with young men and girls practicing Islam in the towns of Tatarstan (carried out between 2000 and 2008.). The author examines advantages and disadvantages of the qualitative interviews and public opinion polls. The focus is made on how and what we can learn about young Muslims while asking them quantitatively and / or qualitatively.