Eight Steps to Producing a Quality Theological

Research Paper

A Survivor’s Guide to Doing Research and Writing

(Thanks to Dr. James Tollett and Sally Shelton for this presentation)

Eight Steps to Producing a Quality Theological Research Paper

1. Select the Topic2. Research in Authoritative Summaries3. Narrow the Topic4. Build the Working Bibliography5. Take Notes6. Construct the Rough Draft7. Rewrite and Polish the Rough Draft8. Prepare the Final Copy

Step ONE: Select the Topic

Topics are usually broad in scope

Select a topic that will hold your interest throughout the entire process (tie in to your “passion”)

Begin doing preliminary research to make sure the topic is a viable one.

Step TWO: Research in Authoritative Summaries

Summaries are found in the reference section of the library.

Summaries give you the five W’s: Who, What, Where, When, and Why.

Once you have read the summaries, come up with a “tentative thesis statement.”

Research in Authoritative Summaries (cont.)

Summaries are found in: General Encyclopedias Specialty Encyclopedias Dictionaries Handbooks Introductions Textbooks

As one works in the Reference Section of the Library, one will find many useful tools.

Tentative Thesis Statement

The Thesis Statement is the single controlling idea of the paper.

Boil all thoughts on the topic down to one proposition/statement or a question that will be answered by the research

Don’t spend much time on this now—go with your initial “gut” feeling

Step THREE: Narrow the Topic

You had a fairly well defined topic, till you read the authoritative summaries; now the topic is much broader than you thought.

Now you know the paper could be two to three times the size of that specified by the professor.

It is time to redefine/narrow the topic.

For Example, “Sanctification”

Means “to be set apart, to be holy.” “For I am Jehovah your God, and you

have sanctified yourselves, and you have become holy for I am holy” [emphasis added] (Lev 11:44).

“. . . because it has been written, ‘Be holy, because I am holy’” [emphasis added] (1 Pet 1:16).

Sanctification: Theological Use

Base meaning: “Perfection” One’s theological background

determines how one views “Sanctification” or “Perfection”

Wesleyan/Holiness: Perfect Love, Sinlessness, Entire

Sanctification (punctiliar) No longer need to sin

Sanctification: Biblical Use

Positional – One is sanctified because of the relationship one has in Christ under the blood of the New Covenant (also known as “Justification”).

Experiential – One is sanctified when the Holy Spirit regenerates and takes up residence in one’s life.

Ultimate – One is sanctified completely when one sees the Lord Jesus Christ “face to face”—Either one is sanctified or not.

Narrowing the Topic

Makes the topic more manageable Makes the research process much

easier

Step FOUR: Building the Working Bibliography

Provides an overview of the sources in a given library

Creates a list and location of books, periodicals, or other sources to explore

Allows for the final bibliography to be constructed quickly and easily

Evaluating Sources for Use

Relevance to topic (Annotated Bib.—p.55, Vyhmeister)

Type of Source: Primary or Secondary (noted in Primary)

The author’s perspective The author’s credentials Readability of the source

For Books: Use Library Catalog

For Journals or Periodicals Use:

Theological Databases from Database List on Library Homepage:ATLA Religion Database w/ATLASerials, Christian Periodical Index, Theological Journals Search, New Testament & Old Testament Abstracts, Encyclopaedia Judaica

Journals List (Subject area: Philosophy and Religion) from Journals List on Library Homepage

For Reference Works Use:

Library Handout, “ORU Theological Reference Books”

Reference Books

Search online catalog: Use subject keyword search: church*, theolog*, Christian*, religi*, Bible, or missions with either encyclopedias or dictionaries

Also Use New “Credo Reference Database”

Browse the shelves in the Reference Room.

Other Sources

Vertical Files Dissertations Original

Autographs

Media Sources Internet Original Research

Internet

Care should be taken when taking material from the Internet:

Search the Web with a reputable search engine (Google.com, Yahoo.com, etc.) & use reputable Databases (World Cat, Christian Classics Ethereal Library—CCEL, etc.)

Evaluate sources per Vyhmeister, pp.25-6 (Purpose of site?, Sponsor?, Date/Updated?, Credentials of author, Data available elsewhere?, Academic value of site?)

Care must also be taken in citation of Internet Sources (see Vyhmeister, pp.26-8)

Step FIVE: Take Notes

Many students make the mistake of taking notes on one or more sheets of paper.

They take copious notes one right after the other.

Unfortunately, when this method is used, it is difficult to organize the notes well and makes writing the paper more difficult than it needs to be.

A Word about Plagiarism

Intellectual Honesty (Vyhmeister, pp. 60-1) At ORU, three things can happen if you are caught

plagiarizing: Fail the Assignment Fail the Course Dismissed from the University, Therefore:

Give credit where credit is due;Cite all sources used for any thought

or concept that is not yours, and when in doubt –

Cite the Source

Guidelines When Taking Notes

Never take notes indiscriminately—be selective in note taking

Record only what is new or stated in an unusual way

It is usually during the note-taking process that the Thesis Statement becomes solidified and a tentative Outline for the paper develops.

Four Types of Notes

Paraphrase Rough Summary Précis Direct Quotation

Direct quotations should only be used when:

Exact wording cannot be improved Point needs substantiation by an

authority Comparing/contrasting two views Specific statement is being analyzed Precision is required—stating

formula, law, or edict

Footnotes vs. Bibliography

Both have slightly different formats for citations (See Vyhmeister, chaps. 6, 9-10, Turabian, chaps. 15-17 & R/W Manual, pp. 60-73)

Footnote format is more abbreviated & more specific

However, both document or cite the source of the original thought or concept used in the Paper

Footnotes vs. Bibliography (cont.)

Footnotes appear within the Paper itself, at the bottom of the page, underneath a partial underline, & include the exact page(s) used, If in doubt – Footnote1

__________________________1Nancy Jean Vyhmeister, Quality Research Papers: For Students of Religion and Theology,

2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008), 80-81.

Bibliography appears at the end of the Paper as a separate listing (in alphabetical order) of all the sources used in the Paper & includes the full length citations of the Sources used:

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Vyhmeister, Nancy Jean. Quality Research Papers: For Students of Religion and Theology. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008.

(REMEMBER: ONLY CITE SOURCES THAT ARE ACTUALLY USED IN THE PAPER!)

Step SIX: Construct the Rough Draft

Three parts to any paper

Outlining the paper

Preparing the first Rough Draft

THREE PARTS TO ANY PAPER

INTRODUCTION  Thesis statement, proposition, or main point

    

   

 

BODY OF PAPERParagraph #1 explaining, or arguing main point

  

 

BODY OF PAPERPara. #2 explaining, or arguing main point

 

 

BODY OF PAPERPara. #3 explaining, or arguing main point . . .

   

CONCLUSION Concluding statement pointing back to thesis

  

Thesis Statement

Thesis Statement is the controlling idea of the paper

Make one proposition/statement, or a question, to be answered by the research

It previews the entire scope of the paper

As you are outlining or writing the paper, check your material against the Thesis Statement

Outlining the Material

I. IntroductionA. Thesis StatementB. Background/Definition of Terms/Presuppositions/etc.

II. Body of Paper Main Point 1A. 2nd level subheading to Main Point 1

1. 3rd level subheading to Main Point 1 2. 3rd level subheading to Main Point 1

B. 2nd level subheading to Main Point 1III. Body of Paper Main Point 2 . . . IV. Conclusion

Only subdivide, if there are 2 or more subdivisionsEach division of outline should point back to the Thesis Statement

Tips for Developing Body of Paper

Anticipate possible objections and deal with them in the passive voice (Passive voice = subject of sentence is inactive/ has action performed on it).

Positive aspects of paper should be in the active voice (Active voice = subject of sentence performs or causes action of verb).

Begin with your weakest argument and ascend to your strongest argument. Moving from “lesser to greater.”

Four Patterns for Presenting An Argument

Chronological – explains each item in sequential order

Compare and Contrast – similarities and/or differences

Cause and Effect – Events or forces that produce certain results

Analysis – examining the component parts

Preparing the Rough Draft

Review Outline and Notes to ensure continuity of thought between all three parts of Paper

Have ample supplies on hand Have an appropriate work space Based on arranged Outline/Notes—Write

the Paper in one sitting, without stopping, in the third person (Grammar is not that important at this point)

Tips for Preparing a Rough Draft

Use a tape recorder to get first draft Write on every other line, or triple

space Tape long quotes on your note cards

to the Rough Draft.

Note: The Rough Draft is often shorter than the required length of the finished product.

REMEMBER: The Paragraph (minimum of three sentences)

TOPIC SENTENCE The first sentence in the paragraph should either introduce the topic to be discussed or link this paragraph with the previous one. There is to be only one main idea per paragraph.

 EXPLANATION/DISCUSSION The next sentence(s) should amplify, explain, or argue the point introduced by the first sentence.

 CONCLUSION/TRANSITION The last sentence should conclude the discussion or act as a transition to the next paragraph.

Step SEVEN: Rewrite and Polish the Rough Draft

Reconcile the Outline to Rough Draft

Eliminate unclear statements

Look for gaps in continuity

Note: These three items need to occur before you start working on the Second Draft.

The Second Draft

Total rewrite Takes several sessions to complete Time to choose exact words Quotations should be carefully selected:

Direct (exactly as written/stands alone) Indirect (integrates quotation into context of

thought expressed in a sentence or paragraph in the Paper)

When to cite (document) a source?

Any fact or opinion that you read in one of the sources, whether you first discovered the idea or assimilated it, should be documented.

Two exceptions: Common knowledge Facts easily verified

Fair Use Rule

A certain number of words, from a particular source, if used for scholarly research, can be quoted without permission of the copyright holder is considered “fair use” When quotation(s) comprise a substantial proportion of the source, permission needs to be soughtWhen in doubt, seek permission!

For a good discussion on “Fair Use” see:www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html; www.ipwatchdog.com/copyright/copyright-fair-use/; www.nolo.com/article.cfm/

Step EIGHT: Preparing the Final Copy (Check List)

Does the controlling idea (Thesis Statement) govern everything?

Does the Introduction prepare the reader? Are the topic sentences clear and paragraphs fully

developed? Are paragraphs logically arranged? Do any sections repeat or contradict others? Does the Paper read smoothly and maintain continuity of

thought from start to finish? Does the Paper conclude strongly? Is every source used documented (footnoted) properly? Does the Bibliography only contain sources used? Does the form and style conform to the standard/canon

(Seminary Research and Writing Manual, Vyhmeister, Turabian)

Common Mistakes

Incorrect Paper, Cover Page, Footnote, Bibliography, & Page Number format

No lead-in clause/phrase, “for all quotes.” Paper not written entirely in 3rd Person Problems w/Widows/Orphans & Footnote spacing No General Scripture/Bible footnote Improper use of Ellipses ( . . . ) Not a minimum of 3 sentences per paragraph Improper use of Capitalization & Italics