The quality and type of quantitative and qualitative data about Muslims in Britain over the past four decades has varied, as have the methodological and disciplinary approaches used to gather new data. This appendix outlines some of the diversity of literature and sources, thereby helping readers with an interest in doing further research and reading to identify the various genres of literature, and other sources of information.

Data derives from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, especially from religious studies, sociology, Islamic studies, ethnic and racial studies, anthropology, geography, politics and history. A broad palette of academic research methods has been deployed to gather data. Qualitative research methods, especially interviews, case studies, documentary and archival research, have added considerable depth and texture to our current knowledge. Unfortunately, hardly any survey research with any time-depth has so far been carried out with Muslims in Britain. In part, this reflects the relatively recent development of what can be termed ‘British Muslim studies’.

Muslim communities in particular locations in the UK. One source for reaching an understanding of Muslims in Britain today is anthropological and sociological publications over the past forty years which have involved research with Muslims in particular locations in Britain, such as Manchester, Rochdale, Bradford, Oxford, London and Birmingham (Jacobson 1998; Joly 1995; Lewis 1994; Scantlebury 1995; Shaw 2000; Werbner 2002a).