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

  1. What is scholarly research and publication?

    Reading:

    • Eco, Umberto: Hogyan írjunk szakdolgozatot?, 15-23 (9)
    • Aczel Richard: Hogyan írjunk esszét?, 1-146 (146)

  2. How to find the research field? Narrowing of the topic.

    Reading:

    • Eco, Umberto: Hogyan írjunk szakdolgozatot?, 24-33 (10)

  3. How many time needs a research? Which languages must I know?

    Reading:

    • Eco, Umberto: Hogyan írjunk szakdolgozatot?, 34-42 (9)

  4. Academic quality; the mentor and the candidate

    Reading:

    • Eco, Umberto: Hogyan írjunk szakdolgozatot?, 44-64 (21)

  5. Accesibility of sources; primary and secondary sources

    Reading:

    • Eco, Umberto: Hogyan írjunk szakdolgozatot?, 65-75 (11)

  6. Editing bibliography and note-taking

    Reading:

    • Eco, Umberto: Hogyan írjunk szakdolgozatot?, 76-104 (29)

  7. Important and ancillary data for the research

    Reading:

    • Eco, Umberto: Hogyan írjunk szakdolgozatot?, 105-132 (28)

  8. Workhypothesis and primary content (first detailed sketch)

    Reading:

    • Eco, Umberto: Hogyan írjunk szakdolgozatot?, 133-172 (40)

  9. Academic style and language. Objectivity

    Reading:

    • Eco, Umberto: Hogyan írjunk szakdolgozatot?, 176-186 (11)

  10. Scholarly ethics. Quoting, paraphrasing, plagiate.

    Reading:

    • Eco, Umberto: Hogyan írjunk szakdolgozatot?, 187-198 (12)

  11. Footnotes; cross-references.

    Reading:

    • Eco, Umberto: Hogyan írjunk szakdolgozatot?, 199-211 (13)

  12. Indexes and key-words; capitalizing and italicizing.

    Reading:

    • Eco, Umberto: Hogyan írjunk szakdolgozatot?, 212-226 (15)

  13. Appropiate use of grammar and ortography; transciption of foreign (Greek, Hebrew) words.

    Reading:

    • Eco, Umberto: Hogyan írjunk szakdolgozatot?, 227-240 (14)

  14. Bibliography, appendices, final editing.

    Reading:

    • Eco, Umberto: Hogyan írjunk szakdolgozatot?, 241-256 (16)

Total estimated time

Classroom study

  • 2 hours/week (Course: 1 | Seminar: 1 | Practice: 0)
  • 28 hours/semester (Course: 14 | Seminar: 14 | Practice: 0)

Individual study

  • Time for studying course notes and bibliography: 18 hours/semester.
  • Time for further documentation in libraries, electronic platforms, or on the field: 5 hours/semester.
  • Time for preparing essays, papers, or documentation: 5 hours/semester.
  • Time for personal tutoring: 2 hours/semester.
  • Total individual study: 30 hours/semester.
  • Total estimated time: 58 hours/semester.

Examination

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