9780310239451

This much-needed resource takes theology students from start to finish in writing a quality term paper, thesis, or dissertation. Step by step, here is the guidance you need to: Select a topic and narrow it down to a workable area of research Effectively use library and computer resources Write clear, relevant notes Organize your thoughts Format the paper, including footnotes and bibliography Present specific research such as surveys and case studies Use statistics, tables, and graphs Well-organized, filled with helpful examples, and written with your unique needs as a theology student in mind, Quality Research Papers is your one-stop desktop guide to writing superbly crafted papers.

List of Illustrations

viii

Introduction

ix

What is Research?

1

(6)

Definition of Research

1

(1)

The Research Process

2

(1)

Kinds of Research

3

(2)

What Research Is Not

5

(1)

The Value of Research

6

(1)

Finding Sources

7

(10)

Resources in the Library

7

(6)

Online Resources

13

(4)

Choosing a Topic

17

(6)

Reading

17

(1)

Asking Questions

18

(2)

Narrowing the Topic

20

(1)

Selecting a Thesis or Dissertation Topic

21

(2)

Planning Research

23

(9)

Basic Steps

23

(4)

The Proposal

27

(2)

Tentative Outline

29

(3)

Preparing Bibliographies

32

(10)

Bibliographic Records

32

(3)

Format of Bibliographic Entries

35

(4)

Final Bibliography

39

(3)

Research Thinking

42

(9)

Research Mindset

42

(5)

Thinking Processes

47

(1)

Analysis and Synthesis

47

(2)

Asking Questions

49

(2)

Reading and Taking Notes

51

(11)

Reading

51

(1)

Evaluating Sources

52

(4)

Taking Good Notes

56

(6)

Footnotes: Why, When and How

62

(7)

Why Footnotes?

62

(1)

When to Footnotes

63

(1)

How to Footnote

63

(6)

Reference Notes and Bibliographical Entries Compared

69

(13)

Published Materials

70

(7)

Unpublished Materials

77

(3)

Electronic Media

80

(2)

Organizing the Paper

82

(9)

Parts of the Paper

82

(3)

Organizing the Body of the Paper

85

(2)

Practical Helps for Organizing the Paper

87

(4)

Writing the Paper

91

(11)

Research English

91

(2)

The Paragraph: Smallest Unit of the Paper

93

(3)

Transitions and Introductions

96

(2)

The Writing Process

98

(2)

Help for the Novice Writer

100

(2)

Formatting the Paper

102

(15)

Page Format

102

(2)

Footnotes and Quotations

104

(2)

Tables, Figures, and Illustrations

106

(1)

Spelling Punctuation and Other Details

106

(1)

Sample Pages

107

(10)

Biblical Exegesis As Research

117

(9)

Steps in the Exegetical Process

117

(7)

Presentation of Exegesis

124

(2)

Descriptive Research

126

(11)

Steps in Descriptive Research

128

(2)

Sampling

130

(2)

Surveys

132

(4)

Interviews

136

(1)

Program Development As Research

137

(6)

Steps in Program Development

137

(4)

Organizing and Writing the Report

141

(2)

The Case Study As Research

143

(9)

The Case Study in the Social Sciences

143

(1)

The Case Study in Pastoral Research

144

(5)

Writing the Case Study

149

(3)

Miscellaneous Theological Writing

152

(8)

Papers on Theological Issues in Ministry

152

(2)

The Critical Review

154

(6)

Statistics, Tables, and Graphs

160

(21)

Some Basics of Statistics

160

(10)

Statistical Tables and Graphs

170

(8)

Statistics and Honesty

178

(3)

Theses and Dissertations

181

(11)

Review of Literature

181

(3)

Theses

184

(4)

Dissertations

188

(3)

Model Approval Page

191

(1)

D.Min. Projects

192

(9)

Proposal

193

(1)

The Written Paper

194

(1)

Procedure

195

(1)

Specific Kinds of D. Min. Papers

196

(5)

Conclusion

201

(1)

Appendixes

202

(19)

A: APA Citation Style

202

(10)

B: Transliteration of Biblical languages

212

(2)

C: List of Common Abbreviations

214

(4)

D: Tips for the Typist

218

(3)

Selected Bibliography

221

(2)

Index

223

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

Chapter OneWHAT IS RESEARCH?What makes research different from other types of studying and writing? What are the specific objectives of research? What are the essential steps in doing research? What pitfalls are to be avoided? How can one tell research from other forms of communication? What are the values and benefits of student research? These are questions this chapter endeavors to answer.Definition of ResearchResearch can be defined as a method of study that, through careful investigation of all evidence bearing on a definable problem, arrives at a solution. To research a topic is to collect, organize, evaluate, and present data. This process cannot take place without analysis and synthesis, for research is more than a compilation of information. The results of research must be presented in a clear and concise way so that anyone can follow the process, without having to repeat any of the steps, in order to see how you, the researcher, have arrived at your conclusions.A four-part definition of research is given by Isaac Felipe Azofeifa: â€œResearch is a (1) systematic search for (2) adequate information to reach (3) objective knowledge of a (4) specific topic.â€ Each element deserves individual analysis.1.Systematic search. This requires effort. It does not just happen. A researcher must develop and use a clear method and a logical system. Research is not easy; it requires time, energy, thought, and effort.2.Adequate information. Research does not look for someoneâ€™s ideas about matters touching on the problem; it seeks precise answers to the questions being asked. The information presented must be from authoritative sources, speak to the problem, and be duly documented.3.Objective knowledge. In order to reach objective knowledge, you must have prior knowledge of the topic. To this prior knowledge you will add facts, not suppositions or possibilities. Research is done with the head and not the heart. Research looks at facts, not conjectures, nor even possibilities, much less long-cherished pet ideas .4.Specific topic. It is impossible to do adequate research on a large topic. The research paper is not an encyclopedia. A specific, clearly delineated problem is the only one that can be solved.Research may be writing a ten-page paper on Nazareth in the time of Christ. Research is what the writer of an M.A. thesis does for weeks on end. Persistent research effortsâ€”over long monthsâ€”go into producing a dissertation. As used in this book, the term research applies to all scholarly studies at undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate level. Some teachers may call it a research essay; others may label it a term paper. Most of what students write for classes involves research.Research is the search for truthâ€”for God is truthâ€”whether it be historical, scientific, or theologicalâ€”it is all Godâ€™s truth, as Frank E. Gaebelein points out. This makes research a very appropriate activity for believers. Yet, because God is ultimate truth and human beings are limited and finite, our arrival at truth must not be considered final. We may never be able to see the whole picture. Furthermore, what is â€œtruthâ€ today may be changed tomorrow by a new discovery. For this reason, even a careful researcher must be humble.Even in the area of theology we should be open to truths not seen before. In Counsels to Writers and Editors, Ellen White wrote last century about the attitudes that should exist in those who study the Scriptures. â€œWe have many lessons to learn, and many, many to unlearn. God and heaven alone are infallible. Those who think that they will never have to give up a cherished view... will be disappointed.â€ Discussing further the search for theological truth, White wrote: â€œTruth is eternal, and conflict with error will only make manifest its strength.... We must study the truth for ourselves. No living man should be relied upon to think for us. No matter who it is, or in what position he may be placed, we are not to look upon any man as a perfect criterion for us.â€ Thus, we research, in search of all truth, humbly using our God-given minds to accomplish our search.The Research ProcessAlthough the research process will be studied carefully in the following chapters, at this point a brief synthesis of this endeavor is useful. In addition, we will consider some of the hindrances to the successful completion of research.In its simplest form, the process to be followed in research is to identify, collect, evaluate, and present. Once you have selected a topic, you must identify the problem or issue to be tackled. The issue must be specific, often expressed as a research question, not something vague and general. After you know exactly what the problem to be solved is, you can begin collecting data. Gather information carefully from many sources. Organize your data in a way that is clear and logical to you and others. After you have gathered all the information, you will need to analyze and evaluate it: Not all sources are equally valuable; not all opinions are of the same weight. Finally, after you have gathered the evidence, you must draw conclusions regarding the solution of the problem. You will have to write a research report that gives a clear view of the problem, of the information gathered, and of the solution reached.Some of the most dangerous pitfalls for researchers are those that relate to a previous mindset. When a cherished idea is being defended, for example, it is extremely difficult to be objective, to take into account adverse evidence, to break out of a limited thinking pattern. The prejudices (meaning here â€œprejudged resultsâ€) taken into a research project set the tone and often determine the answer to a question. People usually see what they want to see. It is impossible to do research without presuppositions. One must, then, recognize what these presuppositions are, state them in the introduction to the research, and proceed from there. For example, if you accept the Genesis 1:26 statement that human beings were made in the image of God, whatever conclusions you reach on the treatment of psychological problems in children will reflect that basic understanding.Other errors are those of hurriedness, inaccuracy, or carelessness. It is easy to come to premature conclusions, without having finished the research because of lack of time or bibliography. It is also easy to miss an important detail or to write down an erroneous fact. Researchers do not mean to make this kind of mistake. But these errors do happen, especially to students who are scrambling to survive the term. Research demands extreme caution and careâ€”and much time.

Excerpted from Quality Research Papers: For Students of Religion and Theology by Nancy Jean Vyhmeister
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

Quality Research Papers : For Students of Religion and Theology

Quality Research Papers : For Students of Religion and Theology

0310239451

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

Excerpts