Research methodology

This course is intended to provide a how-to approach both to graduate and postgraduate theological research and writing in general. Good formal writing, in our view, need not be stiff, labored, or boring to read. It can be creative, direct,
and vigorous — even to the point of possessing some literary merit. Further it must pass the tests of simplicity, accuracy, economy, and clarity.

Competences

Specific competences

Increased awareness of theological work, including conceptualizing a study, observations, interviewing, analysis, and textualization.

General competences

To learn to attend to the politics of what we do and do not do (as researchers). Increase critical thinking skills. Demonstrate this by seriously considering multiple viewpoints and perspectives in class discussions, in-class writing, group work, and the final paper. Become active in the process of seeking, analyzing, and synthesizing information.

Course structure

# Title
1 What is scholarly research and publication?
2 How to find the research field? Narrowing of the topic.
3 How many time needs a research? Which languages must I know?
4 Academic quality; the mentor and the candidate
5 Accesibility of sources; primary and secondary sources
6 Editing bibliography and note-taking
7 Important and ancillary data for the research
8 Workhypothesis and primary content (first detailed sketch)
9 Academic style and language. Objectivity
10 Scholarly ethics. Quoting, paraphrasing, plagiate.
11 Footnotes; cross-references.
12 Indexes and key-words; capitalizing and italicizing.
13 Appropiate use of grammar and ortography; transciption of foreign (Greek, Hebrew) words.
14 Bibliography, appendices, final editing.

Total estimated time

Classroom study Course Seminar Practice
2 hours/week 1 1 0
28 hours/semester 14 14 0
Individual study Hours/sem
Total estimated time 58
Studying course notes and bibliography 18
Further documentation in libraries, electronic platforms, or on the field 5
Preparing essays, papers, or documentation 5
Personal tutoring 2
Total individual study 30

Examination

The student must show continuously his/her preparedness in learning different steps of theological research.

Bibliography

Book