Designing Religious Research Studies

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Have you ever been frustrated with or perhaps even frightened about writing a religious research proposal? This book demythologizes the religious research design process by beginning with the writer's passion for ministry and then guiding the writer through a series of questions and exercises that lead toward a stress-free research proposal. The entire research process, including the description of context, literature review, data collection and presentation, and significance of the study are covered in this book. Through practical exercises, writers learn how to read research abstracts, choose between quantitative and qualitative methods, and identify themes and patterns in data. There is even a section that helps the writer transform an interesting study into an intriguing study! Students who have previously engaged this "funnel approach" to research design have found the process not only productive, but also enjoyable! This unique process of proposal development has been employed in various ecumenical as well as international contexts and works well in a wide variety of religious contexts including congregations, nonprofit agencies, hospitals, and educational institutions. If you want to learn to love data and write an appealing religious research proposal, this book is for you! "This is not your ordinary research methods book. The concise and refreshing design will assist any student without prior knowledge to conduct a religious research study. Yet it is just as valuable for anyone who has done it many times or is teaching someone how to do it for the first time. We've needed this book for a long time to help pastors and leaders who care about the congregations and religious organizations." --Cynthia Woolever, Editor, The Parish Paper, Former Professor of Sociology of Religious Organizations, Hartford Seminary, Former Researcher for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Research Services office "C. Jeff Woods demystifies religious research with practical suggestions and good humor. His 'funnel' approach has been successful for many years in Methodist Theological School of Ohio's doctoral program, he has gifted us by recording research best practices. Woods provides engaging classroom exercises. This text should become foundational for any religious researcher." --Lisa Withrow, Academic Dean, Methodist Theological School in Ohio "As one who leads a Research Institute and a Doctor of Ministry program, I find Dr. Woods' book to be a wonderful introduction to conducting research. His portrayal of the research effort from its conception in passion to its conclusions of significance guides student and instructor along this often confusing journey. This is a valuable guide for students beginning the research project journey." --Scott Thumma, Professor of Sociology of Religion, Director of DMin, Distance Education and Church Inventory Service, Hartford Institute for Religion Research, Hartford Seminary C. Jeff Woods is the Associate General Secretary for the American Baptist Churches, USA, and a fully affiliated Professor of Congregational Studies at the Methodist Theological School of Ohio. He has also served as a visiting professor at several institutions including Central Baptist Theological Seminary, Palmer Seminary, and the Myanmar Institute of Theology. He has authored seven books and numerous articles on research design as well as leadership and organizational development.