MD801 - Research Methods Seminar

• 0 Standard Tuition Fee
• 8
  Credit Points
• 0.25 EFT 
  
• 9
  AQF level

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Learning outcomes

A. Be able to

Learning Outcomes: At the end of the unit candidates should be able to:

1. empathetically and Critically Evaluate the various research methods available for applied research, especially as they intersect with their field of research

2. Critique the epistemological approaches of the paradigms underpinning various research methods

3. Interpret findings based on different methodologies

4. produce a research thesis or research questions and research proposal that is defensible and conforms to the ethical   requirements of human subject research

5. Reflect at an Advanced level on the integration of the knowledge and skills acquired through this unit with their personal and professional development.

Content

Purpose: To equip Doctor of Ministry candidates with the requisite knowledge and skills in research methods at doctoral level that will enable them to plan a valid research proposal. It will also begin the formal process of personal reflection on their role as a life long learner in a Christian ministry context.

Aims: To equip candidates to: empathetically and critically assess the various research methods available for applied research, especially those used in their field of research; undertake a theological critique of the epistemological approaches of the paradigms underpinning the various research methods; to demonstrate their capacity to interpret findings based on different methodologies; draft a valid piece of research that conforms to the ethical requirements of human subject research.

Set Readings

The following are only indicative texts. Booth, Wayne, C., George G. Colomb & Joseph M. Williams, The Craft of Research, 3rd ed., Chicago & London: University of Chicago Press, 2008 Creswell, John, Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches, 2nd ed., Thousand Oaks: Sage, 2007 Creswell, John, Research Design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed method approaches, 2nd ed., Thousand Oaks: Sage, 2003 Cohen, Louis, Lawrence Manion & Keith Morrison, Research Methods in Education, 7th ed., London & New York: Routledge / Falmer, 2011 Hesse-Biber, Sharlene J. Nagy & Patricia Lina Leavy, The Practice of Qualitative Research, 2nd ed., Thousand Oaks: Sage, 2011 Potter, Stephen, Doing Postgraduate Research, 2nd ed., London: OUP, 2006 Swinton, J. & H. Mowat, Practical Theology and Qualitative Research, London: SCM, 2006 Tennet, Timothy C., Theology in the Context of World Christianity: How the Global Church is Influencing the Way we Think about and Discuss Theology, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2007 Turabian, Kate. L, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. Chicago Style for Students and REearchers, revised by W.C. Booth, G.G. Colomb & J.M. Williams, 7th ed., Chicago & London: Chicago University Press, 2007 Vyhmeister, Nancy Jean, Your Guide to Writing Quality Research Papers: for students of religion and theology, 2nd ed., Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008 Yaghjian, L.B., ???Teaching Theological Reflection Well, Reflection on Writing as Theological Practice???, Teaching Theology and Religion, Vol 7, No 2, 2004, pp.83-94.