Product Description

Nancy Vyhmeister's Quality Research Papers is fast becoming a standard reference textbook for writing research papers in the field of religion and theology. It takes the student from the beginning assignment of a paper through the research phase to the finished paper. This second edition gives improvements and added material for such things as the expanding field of online research and doing church-related research in a professional manner. Resources for doing research are updated throughout the book.

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• Amazon Sales Rank: #80030 in Books
• Published on: 2008-02-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

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• ISBN13: 9780310274407
• Condition: USED - LIKE NEW
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From the Back Cover
Nancy Vyhmeister's Quality Research Papers is fast becoming a standard reference textbook for writing research papers in the field of religion and theology. It takes the student from the beginning assignment of a paper through the research phase to the finished paper. This second edition gives improvements and added material for such things as the expanding field of online research and doing church-related research in a professional manner. Resources for doing research are updated throughout the book.

About the Author
Nancy Vyhmeister (EdD, Andrews University) has forty-five years of experience in teaching future pastors and professors not only in the United States but throughout the world. She continues to have a global ministry in her retirement years, mostly teaching research and writing. She has authored several books, both in Spanish and English, including a Greek grammar for Spanish-speaking students. She was editor of Women in Ministry: Biblical and Historical Perspectives.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Chapter One
WHAT 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 Research
Research 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: “Research is a (1) systematic search for (2) adequate information to reach (3) objective knowledge of a (4) specific topic.” 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 someone’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 efforts—over long months—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 truth—for God is truth—whether it be historical, scientific, or theological—it is all God’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 “truth” 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. “We 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.” Discussing further the search for theological truth, White wrote: “Truth 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.” Thus, we research, in search of all truth, humbly using our God-given minds to accomplish our search.
The Research Process
Although 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 “prejudged results”) 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 care—and much time.

Customer Reviews

Not Indispensable, But Really Very Good
Vyhmeister sets out to provide step-by-step guidance to completing all manner of written works for students of 'theology'. By theology, it is really meant any type of Christian religious instruction, not just an M. Div. With this in mind, Vyhmeister largely meets the goal, giving instructions (sometimes often very basic ones) for selecting a topic, organizing a paper, conducting research, etc.

Where this work shines is in the bibliography examples. If you need a bibliography entry for a multi-author, multi-volume commentary, there is an example. Indeed, there are a bewildering variety of examples, many of which I never hope to meet, but I rest in the assurance that I have an example. This work also has a very good, simple process for conducting research, something that is often not taught. Had I followed it, I could tell you where Vyhmeister declares that my papers can become works of art. Alas, I just don't remember!

On the other hand, the section on statistics, graphs and tables, is cursory at best, and any true research effort involving statistical analysis and presentation of same would require a more specialized work. I say this as a warning to users of the book, not as a negative of this work.

Additionally, the work is very helpful if you are entering into theological studies from another career, such as engineering. While not explicit, one can gain a very good understanding of just who theological papers differ from other types of research.

Finally, Zondervan's paper back binding is terrible. My copy showed significant wear after its first reading, and I suspect that it will wear out in short order. That is all the more surprising, considering it is a very useful desk reference. Indeed it even says that it is an "... Indispensable Guide to Writing...". If you really feel that way Zondervan, make a hardback!

Good and Faithful Scholarship
Nancy Jean Vyhmeister has written a thoughtful, considerate, and readable technical manual on the art of writing quality research papers. The two chapters: "Theses and Dissertations" (XVIX), and "D.Min. Projects" (XX), are especially directed to graduate students in theology. Quality Research Papers, itself, serves as an illustration of its substantive content. It is the type of reference that a D.MIN. candidate, and other thesis/dissertation writers, would be well advised to have readily available, so as to be reminded about and to be able to check upon the details of their graduate compositions. The concluding sentence: "May your D.Min. Project bring satisfaction to you and glory to God" (2001:200), is truly a two way blessing. Vyhmeister in offering her blessing was also blessed by meeting her goal of producing a manual and a model.
For a text originally written in Spanish in 1980 (2001:ix), and published in English translation in 1989, it is still au courant. Vyhmeister pays introductory homage to the work of Kate L. Turabian's The Chicago Manual of Style, as an essential source for those who need: "even more detailed instructions" (2001:ix). She is particularly considerate in describing what `research' is and what `research' is not (2001:1-5). The key, according to Vyhmeister, is for the dissertation writer to focus in as objective a way as is humanly possible on the subject matter under consideration and present the truth with all due humility.
In a step-by-step process, Vyhmeister leads her reader through the basic steps of discovering pertinent resource materials, choosing a topic, "defining the problem" (2001:23 - 25), to writing an outline. Tried and true index cards are described as part of the methodology of developing a working memory of salient points from the multiplicity of texts read over an extended period of time. The details of documentation, the effective organization of information, formatting, the inclusion of charts and graphs, and the process of revision are covered. Throughout, the reader is reminded that time - much time - is needed. The need to provide adequate time should not be underestimated. "The thesis will dominate your life" (2001:186). Time management is essential. She wrote: "It is imperative to develop - and follow - a chronogram that allows time for reading and corrections. This goes for both you and your adviser!" (2001:187).
Finally, Vyhmeister reminds the dissertation writer to remember: "often only the first and last chapters of a dissertation or project are read. Thus, everything of vital importance must be in those two chapters: where you intended to go and what you found when you arrived there" (2001:194 - 195). The hard work of what goes in between provides the credibility.
Quality Research Papers conveys style, grace, sensitivity, integrity, simplicity, comprehensiveness, and an unmistakable appeal to the quality of excellence. In the background are reverberations from the host of international scholars past, present, and future, who unite in saying: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21).

An Excellent Writing Guide
Vyhmeister's Quality Research Papers for Students of Religion and Theology is a comprehensive writing guide. This book thoroughly identifies the many aspects of writing theological research papers from short book reviews, to exegesis, to dissertations. The author covers every step of the process from understanding what research is to selecting your topic, from thinking like a researcher to taking reading notes, and from writing footnotes to formatting a page. Each stage of the writing process is describes in great detail and is well illustrated.

I found this book to be extremely helpful as I prepare to write my dissertation. Because of its many helpful examples, it will serve as a very useful reference guide along my whole writing process from creation to completion. I recommend this book, especially to those early in their theological, biblical, and ministerial studies.