Bibliography on Secondary Research Method

There are scores of books and websites that explain how to do elementary library research. Typically they offer practical help with the process of selecting a topic, searching for relevant scholarly literature, critically evaluating the views of others in light of your independent study, formulating an objective, logical, and well supported argument, and managing a big study project like writing a thesis. Some of the best guides are listed below.

Badke, William. The Survivor's Guide to Library Research. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1990. Z710 .B223

Covers selecting a topic, finding sources (using reference collection, classification systems, library catalogs, and databases), note taking, organizing notes, writing. Uses theological examples. Concise, breazy, easy to understand, practical, sometimes humorous. Offers encouragement for those suffering "library anxiety." Repeatedly exhorts students to use "lateral thinking" when they are stuck or when they need to sharpen an approach. Includes some interesting case studies. Offers some good advice. Some of the recommendations may not be suitable for long papers or theses. Covers very few theological reference works and does not adequately explain the strengths and weaknesses of the tools listed. Badke's more recent Research Strategies (San Jose:Writers Club Press, 2001) has some useful material on database searching and the Internet but overall seems geared for an even less sophisticated audience.

Barber, Cyril J. and Robert M. Krauss. Introduction to Theological Research: A Guide for College and Seminary Students. 2d rev ed. Lanham: University of American Press, 2000. BR118 .B28

Aims to help students find information. Does not address other aspects of the research process (although it does include undergraduate level instructions for doing word studies of biblical vocabulary.) Provides clear and sometimes interesting discussions on over 300 reference works and bibliographies, covering theology, bible, education, history, missions, philosophy, social sciences and pastoral ministries. Sometimes explains how to use a given work. But the brief section on how to search databases is quite incomplete. Appreciates older scholarly literature many reference guides neglect. Includes works from many theological perspectives and traditions, but regularly criticizes those that are not theologically conservative (even to the point of labeling works like Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology as neoevangelical.) Overall shows strongly opinionated but informed judgment. ITR is readable cover-to-cover as a bibliographic essay or textbook, but it is not organized or indexed to promote the quick subject access the authors so much appreciate in reference books. For example, there is no way for a student to identify the best bibliographies for world missions. This presents a practical problem because the average student will not be able to control (i.e., remember) the large number of works covered. Nevertheless I urge every student to read the first seven chapters because they will make you think about the theological perspectives of reference works.

Barzun, Jacques, and Henry F. Graff. The Modern Researcher. 6th ed. Belmont: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2004. D13 .B334. Altick, Richard D. and John J. Fenstermaker. The Art of Literary Research. 4th ed. New York : Norton, 1993. PR56 .A68 1993

These are probably the two best known introductions to humanities research and your friends at liberal arts institutions may recommend them to you. Barzun is aimed primarily at history and Altick at literary studies, but both are applicable to theological research and these two works have a common interest in dealing with the "spirit" of humanities research (e.g., a researcher's attitudes and habits of mind). Both share a good deal of personal experience.

Barzun covers principles and methods of research (fact finding, verification, interpretation, truth, historical causation, historical patterns and bias) and guidelines for writing and publishing (organization, word choice, clarity, quotation, formatting, publishing). Full of interesting examples and valuable exhortations. Fun to read, but cannot be used as a quick lookup reference handbook. Does not attempt to outline a research procedure.

Altick is a little more systematic. He has sections on scholarly attitudes and vocations, how to search (esp for obscure primary sources), note taking, and composition.

Becker, Howard S. Tricks of the Trade: How to Think about Your Research While You're Doing It. Chicago: U of Chicago Press, 1998. H91 .B38

Four techniques for sociological inquiry: use of imagery to guide research, methods of sampling, development of concepts to organize findings, and use of logical methods to explore implications. Fun to read. Applicable to humanitites and philological/literary research.

Bolich, Gregory G. The Christian Scholar: An Introduction to Theological Research. Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 1986. BR118 .B558

Attempts to lay a theoretical foundation for theological research. Superficially surveys both general and theologically specific research methods. Little practical help.

*Bradley, James E, and Richard A. Muller. Church History: An Introduction to Research, Reference Works, and Methods. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995. BR138 .B69

Essay on historical method and objectivity exhorts students to study every idea, person and event in broad context and not to impose a modern grid on the past. Offers brief advice on selecting topic, taking notes, writing and publishing. Bibliographic essay highlights selected major reference works and collected primary sources. Very sparsely annotated bibliography on 167-231 is well organized but not indexed adequately.

*Cryer, Pat. The Research Student's Guide to Success. 2nd ed. Buckingham, Eng: Open University Press, 2000. LB2395 C787

Good advice for doctoral students on many important practical topics including: "recognizing quality in research; interacting with your supervisor(s); planning ahead; managing yourself and your time; taking responsibility for your progress; co-operating with others for mutual help and support; . . . using the research programme as preparation for employment; progress checks and hurdles, . . . coming to terms with originality in research; developing skills for creative thinking; dealing with flagging; producing your thesis; preparing for the examination and conducting yourself in the oral."

Davies, Richard E. Handbook for Doctor of Ministry Projects: An Approach to Structured Observation of Ministry. Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 1984. BV4165 .D38

Non-technical overview of social science research techniques (e.g., program evaluation, treatment effects, survey research, case studies). Also addresses the process of selecting a topic, formulating a question, designing a study, and collecting, analyzing and interpreting data. Does not cover composition.

*Davis, Gordon B. and Clyde A. Parker. Writing the Doctoral Dissertation: A Systematic Approach. 2d ed. Hauppauge, NY: Barron's Educational Series, 1997. LB2369 .D357

How to manage the dissertation project. Practical. Keys to productivity, working with advisor, picking topic, writing proposal, budgeting time and money, finishing.

Fink, Arlene. Conducting Research Literature Reviews: from Paper to Internet. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 1998. Q180.55 .M4 F56

Well informed and practical guide for social science literature review. How to search for relevant literature. Long section on how to evaluate sources critically. How to synthesize. How to use this as background for your original research. Especially helpful for DMin students.

Glatthorn, Allan A. Writing the Winning Dissertation: A Step-By-Step Guide. Thousand Oaks, CA: Cowin Press, 1998. LB2369 .G56

Picking a topic; literature review; picking a method; planning; writing and defending a proposal; working with an advisor; organizing; writing; defending the final work; publishing. Social science perspective. Short stand-alone chapters can be used in isolation out of order.

Heppner, P. Paul, Dennis M Kivlighan, and Bruce E Wampold. Research Design in Counseling. 2d ed. Delmont, CA: Brooks, Cole and Wadsworth, 1999. BF637 .C6 H42

Empirical social science research methods applied to but not specific to counseling. Statistical research designs; validity; ethics in research; bias. Some on qualitative research. Throughout makes helpful comments on likely implications of various choices.

Krathwohl, David R. Methods of Educational and Social Science Research: An Integrated Approach. 2d ed. New York: Longman, 1997. H62 .K6793.

Qualitative and quantitative methods. Problem formulation; literature review; causation; samples; field work; interviews and questionnaires; statistics; experimental design. This fine textbook is thorough and understandable, but offers less for research in theology.

*Mann, Thomas. The Oxford Guide to Library Research. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998. Z710 .M23

A highly regarded introduction to using libraries to find information about "any" subject. Organized around "methods of searching" but also describes many tools. Helpful advice on many topics. Says little specifically about religion and little about primary sources, original research, or the process of academic writing. But this may be the best general introduction to searching library resources. Mann is a seasoned staffer at the Library of Congress who is world famous (among librarians) for his tireless persistence in searching. His apologetic for his particular approach to searching is Library Research Models (NY: Oxford University Press, 1993).

*Mauch, James and Jack Birch. Guide to the Successful Thesis and Dissertation. 4th rev ed. New York: M. Dekker, 1998. LB2369 .M377

How to select a topic, write a proposal, work with advisors, write, defend. Does not tell you how to use a library or search for literature. Assumes social science methods and says nothing about theological research or theological literature. One of the few works of this kind that even attempts to provide an empirical basis for recommendations.

Meltzoff, Julian. Critical Thinking About Research: Psychology and Related Fields. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 1997. BF76.5 .M45

How to detect research design flaws. Applies to all social science methods. Includes good practice exercises to develop critical thinking. For DMin students. Jeffrey Katzer, K. Cook and W. Crouch, Evaluating Information: A Guide for Users of Social Science Research. 4th ed. (Boston: McGraw-Hill, 1998. H62 .K378) is similar in intent but organized very differently. Meltzoff first outlines principles of evaluation, then lists some very interesting case studies. Katzer et al. list sources and kinds of error with examples interspersed throughout.

Miller, Donald E. and Barry J. Seltser. Writing and Research in Religious Studies. Englewood Cliffs, N. J.: Prentice Hall, 1992. BL41 .W75

Brief, elementary guide for undergraduate students in comparative/world religion courses. Stresses empirical (anthropological) study of religious practices and people. Also covers selecting a topic, using library resources, taking notes, writing, formatting, etc.

*Murphy, Nancey. Reasoning and Rhetoric in Religion. Valley Forge, PA: Trinity Press, 1994. BR118 .M876 1994

Aims to help students think clearly, logically, critically. Presents one account of informal reasoning and then provides extended examples of logical analysis in ethics, church history, dogmatics, biblical studies, and philosophy of religion. Final chapters on logic in academic writing and persuasion. More academic than Henry Virkler, A Christian's Guide to Critical Thinking.

Myers, William. Research in Ministry: A Primer for the Doctor of Ministry Program. Rev. ed. Chicago: Exploration Press, 1997. BV4165 .M94

Very brief guide for DMin students doing social science research. Practical, easy to understand, many concrete examples of problems. Problem statement, choice of method, data gathering.

Rudestam, Kjell Erik, and Rae R Newton. Surviving Your Dissertation: A Comprehensive Guide to Content and Process. 2nd ed. Newbury Park, CA: Sage, 2001. LB2369 .R83

How to select a topic, review previous publications, build an argument, manage information overload, work with faculty, organize time, write, deal with stress. Heavily oriented toward social science research (empirical methods, statistical analysis, working with numerical tables and graphs).

Tucker, Dennis. Research Techniques for Scholars and Students in Religion and Theology. Meford, NJ: Information Today, 2000. BL41 .T83

How to use library resources including the library catalog, basic reference works, indexes, electronic resources. Covers secular and religious literature. Easy to understand but very elementary and very incomplete.

Vyhmeister, Nancy. Your Indispensable Guide to Writing Quality Research Papers: For Students of Religion and Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001. BL41 .V94

Selecting topic, planning the investigation, proper thinking, note taking, bibliographic form, organizing, writing, exegetical research method, and some empirical methods including descriptive research, program development, and case study approach. Uses theological examples. Some helpful content but lacks depth throughout. Appropriate for college freshmen.