Research Standards

Evidence before interpretation.

BAFES distinguishes between what a source documents, what a tradition claims, what researchers infer and what remains uncertain.

Core standards

Source-based

Claims should be traceable to identifiable historical, archival, ethnographic or scholarly sources whenever possible.

Contextual

Beliefs and practices are interpreted within their historical, social and cultural environments.

Transparent

Uncertainty, conflicting evidence and source limitations should be stated clearly.

Non-confessional

BAFES does not require researchers to accept or reject the beliefs being studied.