RM095-6 - Introduction to Research Methods

  • 0 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 6
    Credit Points
  • 0.1875 EFT 
  • 9
    AQF level
  • research methodsUnit Discipline

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

  1. The nature of research and Related debates relating to its purpose, value, ethics, paradigms and epistemology.
  2. Critique the research methods most often used in a candidate’s proposed field of research.

B. Be able to

  1. Identify a researchable topic and articulate the research question, or hypothesis being explored.
  2. Articulate the conceptualization underpinning the research proposal.
  3. Develop a research plan that Demonstrates capacity to manage the research project.

C. Be in a position to

  1. Write a clearly set out research proposal that can be completed within the time allowable.
  2. Satisfactorily complete an Ethics Protocol where human subject participant is required.

Content

  1. The philosophy of research
    1. The place and value of student research in higher education
    2. The purpose of research
    3. Epistemological issues in research
    4. Paradigms in research
    5. Integrity in research: awareness of ethical issues and honesty with evidence
    6. Issues of personal motivation for beginning and sustaining research
  2. The resources of research
    1. Resources in the college: staff, library, peer interaction
    2. Resources beyond the college: other researchers and research groups, internet, conferences and consultations.
    3. Learning to use the tools and access the sources for efficient research
    4. Qualitative and quantitative research: the importance of methodology
    5. Managing and reporting data: collection and maintenance
    6. Literature reviews: library and other electronic resources
  3. Administration of research
    1. The candidate-supervisor relationship
    2. Supervisor’s role and responsibilities
    3. Candidate’s role and responsibilities
    4. Compatibility, styles of supervisions and dispute resolution
    5. Risk in research
  4. Project Management
    1. Time path of research
    2. Scoping
    3. Sketching argument and structure
    4. Developing work programs
    5. Establishing a schedule for the production of written materials; parts of the whole paper of a thesis/project; accumulation of data from survey research; supervisor’s scrutiny of the parts and feedback
  5. Analysis and interpretation
    1. Handling evidence and data
    2. Research in the service of Christian ministries
    3. Research in ministry – design and practice
  6. Focus and production
    1. Formulating a proposal: defining the topic; setting realistic, achievable goals; benefits
    2. Safeguards in ‘human subject research’: the evidence necessary for project approval by an ethics committee; ethics protocols for research involving human subjects
    3. Final form of the thesis/project: revision of style and accuracy of writing; consistency in use of conventions; supervisor’s final approval; research writing for critique and publication.

Set Readings

Required Texts – Both Streams

Candidates to choose one item marked with an asterisk (*) and one item marked with a dagger (†).

*Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., & Williams, J. M., The Craft of Research, (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2008)

*Leedy, P. D., & Ormrod, J. E., Practical Research: Planning and Design, 9th ed. (Princeton, NC: Merrill, 2010)

Murphy, Nancey C., Reasoning and Rhetoric in Religion, reprint, (Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2001)

Phillips, E. M. & Pugh, D. S., How to Get a PhD. A Handbook for Students and their Supervisors, 2nd Edition (Buckingham, Open University Press 2005)

†Turabian, Kate L., A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 7th Ed (Chicago: University of Chicago, 2007)

†Vyhmeister, N. J. and Roberston, T. D., Quality Research Papers for Students of Religion and Theology, 3rd ed., (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2014)

Additional Required Texts Stream 1: No Human Participation Research

Candidates to choose two of the items marked with an asterisk (*).

*Black, D. A. & D. S. Dockery (eds), New Testament Criticism & Interpretation (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1991)

*Bradley, J. E. & R. A. Muller, Church History: An Introduction to Research, Reference Works, and Methods (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995)

*Barton, J., Reading the Old Testament: Method in Biblical Study (London: Darton, Longman and Todd, 1996)

Mitchell, Basil, How to Play Theological Ping-Pong, (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1990) (esp. Chs.7–11)

Woodbridge, J. D. & T. E. McComiskey, eds, Doing Theology in Today's World (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1991)

Additional Required Texts - Stream 2: Human Participant Research

Ammerman, Carroll, Dudley & McKinney, Studying Congregations: A New Handbook (Nashville: Abingdon, 1998)

Myers, William, Research In Ministry: A Primer for the Doctor of Ministry Program, 3rd Edition (Chicago, Exploration Press 2000)

Swinton, J. & Mowat, H., Practical Theology and Qualitative Research (London, SCM 2006)

Van de Creek, L., H. Bender & M. R. Jordan, Research in Pastoral Care and Counselling (Decatur, GA: Journal of Pastoral Care, 1994)

Other General References

Anderson, J. & M. Poole, Assignment and Thesis Writing, 3rd ed, (Brisbane: J Wiley & Sons, 1998)

Baker, S. & Steane, P., Surviving Your Thesis, (London, Routledge, 2004).

Ballear, P. & Pritchard, J., Practical Theology In Action: Christian Thinking in the Service of church and Society, London SPCK, 2006)

Barzun, J. & Graff, H., The Modern Researcher, 5th Edition, (Fortworth: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College, 1992).

Bell, J., Doing Your Research Project: A Guide for First Time Researchers in Education and the Social Sciences, 2nd ed. (Buckingham: Open University, 1993)

Bouma, G, The Research Process, 2nd Ed, (Melbourne, Oxford 1996).

Collis, J & Hussey, R., Business Research, a practical guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students, 2nd Ed, (Palgrave: Macmillian, 2003)

Cryer, P., The Research Student’s Guide to Success, 2nd Ed, (London: Open University, 2000)

Davies, R. E., Handbook for Doctor of Ministry Projects (Lanham, MD: UPA, 1984)

De Bary, Edward, Theological Reflection: The Creation of Spiritual Power in the Information Age, (Collegeville: Minnesota 2003)

Denzin, N K & Lincoln, Y S, Handbook of Qualitative Research, 3rd Ed, (Thousand Oaks: Sage, 2005)

De Vaus, D A, Surveys in Social Research, 5th Edition, (Sydney: Allen and Unwin, 2002)

Epp, E. J. & G. D. Fee, Studies in the Theory and Method of New Testament Textual Criticism (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993)

Evans, D & Gruba, P., How to Write a Better Thesis, 2nd Edition, (Carlton South: Melbourne University Press, 2002)

Farley, Edward, “Theology and Practice Outside the Clerical Paradigm” in Practical Theology, Ed. Don Browning, (Cambridge: Harper and Rowe, 1983), 21-41.

Gabriel, Y, Storytelling in Organizations; Facts Fictions and Fantasies, (Oxford: OUP, 2000)

Glesne, C. & A. Peshkin, Becoming Qualitative Researchers: An Introduction (White Plains, NY: Longman, 1992)

Holland, J & Henroit, P. S. J., Social Analysis, (Maryknoll: Orbis, 1992)

Killen, P. O. & deBeer, J., The Art of Theological Reflection, (Crossroad Publishing, 1994)

Kinast, Robert L, Let Ministry Teach: A Guide to Theological Reflection, (Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1996)

Kinast, Robert L, What Are They Saying About Theological Reflection, (New Jersey: Paulist Press, 2000).

Mann, T., The Oxford Guide to Library Research, 3rd Ed, (New York: OUP, 2005)

Marshall, C. & Rossman, G., Designing Qualitative Research, 6th Ed, (Thousand Oaks: Sage, 2016)

Maykut, P. & Morehouse, R., Beginning Qualitative Research: A Philosophic and Practical Guide, (London: The Falmer Press, 1994)

Miles, M. B. & Huberman, A. M., Qualitative Data Analysis, 3rd Ed, (Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, 2014).

Miller, D. E. & B. J. Seltzer, Writing and Research in Religious Studies (Prentice Hall, 1992)

Moustakas, C, Phenomenological Research Methods. (Thousand Oakes: Sage, 1994)

Moustakas, C, Heuristic Research, (Thousand Oaks: Sage, 1995)

Morgan, D L, Focus Groups as Qualitative Research, 2nd Edition, (Thousand Oaks: Sage, 1997).

Pattison, Stephen, “Some Straw for Bricks: A Basic Introduction to Theological Reflection”, Contact 99, 1989, 2-9.

Pruyser, Paul W., The Minister as Diagnostician, (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1976)

Robson, C., Real World Research: A Resource for Social Scientists & Practitioner-Researchers, 2nd Ed, (Oxford: Blackwell 2002)

Rudestam, K. E. & Newton, R. R., Surviving the Dissertation. A Comprehensive Guide to Content and Process, 2nd Edition, (Thousand Oaks: Sage, 2001)

Sandelowski, M. & Barroso, J., Handbook for Synthesizing Qualitative Research, (New York: Springer, 2007)

Silverman, D., Qualitative Research, (London: Sage, 1993)

VandeCreek, L., H. Bender & M. R. Jordan, Research in Pastoral Care and Counselling, reprint, (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2008)

Van der Ven, J., Ecclesiology in Context, (Grand Rapids, Eerdmans 1996)

Wiersma, W. & Jurs, S. B., Research Methods in Education: An Introduction, (Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon, 2009)

Whitehead, J.D. & E., Method in Ministry: Theological Reflection and Christian Ministry, Revised Ed., (Wisconsin: Sheed and Ward 1999)

Wilson, J. F. & T. P. Slaven, Research Guide to Religious Studies (Chicago: American Library Association, 1982)

Woodbridge, J. D. & T. E. McComiskey (eds), Doing Theology in Today's World (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1991)

Young, C. (ed.), The Accommodation of Cultural Diversity: Case Studies (Basingstoke: Macmillan, 1999).