Research Methods in Literary Reception Studies

Turning reading into research: Researching literature through its reception.

Research Methods in Literary Reception Studies is the first handbook that offers a systematic, hands-on guide to the study of literary reception. It shows how scholars can examine readers' responses to literature, as well as how texts are evaluated, discussed, rewarded and circulated across social and institutional settings. By combining empirical, sociological, digital and text-focused approaches, the book offers clear guidance on research design, data collection, and analysis. Each chapter offers step-by-step methodological instruction and illustrates its application through a concrete case study. What especially distinguishes this volume, however, is its strong practical orientation and its integration of qualitative and quantitative approaches within a single, coherent framework. Written for advanced students and researchers, this handbook ultimately provides a shared methodological toolbox for studying literature as a cultural practice.

Contributing authors: Elke Brems (University of Leuven), Jan Ceuppens (University of Leuven), Jeroen Dera (Radboud University), Jos Joosten (Radboud University), Dennis Kersten (Radboud University), Maaike Koffeman (Radboud University), Alicia C. Montoya (Radboud University), Julia Neugarten (Radboud University), Anne Oerlemans (Radboud University), Esther Op de Beek (Leiden University), Bea Ros (Radboud University), Helleke van den Braber (Utrecht University), Frederik Van Dam (Radboud University), Usha Wilbers (Radboud University).

Jeroen Dera is associate professor of Dutch Literature at Radboud University.

Anne Oerlemans works as a publisher and recently completed her PhD as an external PhD-candidate at Radboud University.

Frederik Van Dam is assistant professor of European Literature at Radboud University.