Work in progress
Methodological considerations
Page last updated: 14 Jul 2010.
This research project touches on eight (8) methodological issues:
(1) An overall research strategy;
(2) Sources of information;
(3) Bases for source selection and data extraction;
(4) The structure of the data collection template;
(5) Documentation of the collected informational nuggets;
(6) Concepts, terminology, and naming conventions;
(7) Mapping of the geographical information;
(8) Semantical tags for the collected information.
(1) An overall research strategy
1.1 The Wiki work environment
Wiki as as collegial and cooperative online research/documentation tool.
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1.2 Fragmentation of information bundles
Fragmentation of research into discrete, referenced and separately modifiable information nuggets.
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1.3 The Boot-strapping tactics
Ongoing, incremental movement from untrustworthy and open-source data, to scholarly specialists' vetted evidence.
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1.4 Use of external input
Readers input (addenda, corrections, clarifications, comments) - are solicited and welcome.
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(2) Sources of information
2.1 Printed sources
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2.2 Online sources
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(3) The bases for source selection and data extraction
A monastery, in the sense used in this study, is a formally established association of religious and lay people. Such a monastery meets three ciriteria: (a) it is governed by an explicit code of social and spiritual conduct (e.g. Buddhist 'vinaya'), (b) its members remain relatively open to contacts with external world, and (c) make a joint, continuous use of a set closely spaced buildings (e.g. prayer halls, shrines, libraries, meditation halls, dormitories etc.) and associated structures (e.g. gates, walls, kitchens, gardens, warehouses, pagodas, stupas etc.). In all cases such monastic facilities must be geared towards a long-term multi-person occupancy, with the number of their permanent residents ranging from a mere handful of individuals to many thousands of them.
Therefore, by definition, this catalogue does not cover information about hermitages and retreats, i.e. places which are used by individuals, or their very small groups, who explicitly seek to cut-off themselves from regular interchanges with the world at large.
3.1 Documentation
Only these institutions which are sufficiently amply and sufficiently clearly documented have been entered into this list. Monasteries with ambiguous, or non-existent information regarding their name, location, chronology tended to be excluded from this list. [more information to be added here.]
3.2 Chronology
Only the institutions which were active during the study period, namely c. 600 AD till c. 1000 AD are included here. The expression "circa", or "c." means approximately, a period no more than 25 years long. [more information to be added here.]
3.3 Geography
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(4) The structure of the data collection template
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(5) Documentation of the collected informational nuggets
5.1 In-text references and hyperlinks
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5.2 Bibliography
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5.3 Links to electronic maps
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(6) Concepts, terminology, and naming conventions
6.1 Geographical subdivision (south, central, northern) of Asian continent
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6.2 Naming conventions for monasteries
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6.3 Terminology for compact description of places
(monastery vs convent, spot vs cluster, historical toponymy vs modern place-names)
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(7) Mapping of the geographical information
7.1 Use of electronic maps, and satellite imagery
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7.2 Lat/Long coordinates' accuracy and precision
7.2.1 Accuracy vs. precision
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7.2.2 Using the three levels of precison
All monasteries listed in this catalogue are assumed to be situated actually no farther than 200 m or 2 km or 20 km from the point defined by the postulated here geographical coordinates. Naturally, the degree of accuracy of geographical coordinates is a direct function of the amount and granularity of available intelligence on the monasteries' placement within their physical environments.
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(8) Semantical tagging of the collected information
8.1 Tags and their meaning
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T. Matthew Ciolek
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