Basic Research Methods
Holy Trinity University
Abba Hailegebriel Girma (PhD, EdD)
2016/ 2024
What is Research?
❑ Definition: An organized, systematic, data-
based critical scientific inquiry or investigation
into a specific problem, undertaken with the
objective of finding answers or solutions to it.
❑ Outcome: Information that enables researchers
to make decisions to rectify problems.
❑ Data: Primary (first-hand) or Secondary (readily
available); Quantitative or Qualitative
What is Research?
Research is what we do when we have a
question or a problem we want to resolve
We may already think we know the answer to
our question
We may think the answer is obvious, common
sense even
But until we have subjected our problem to
rigorous scientific scrutiny, our 'knowledge'
remains little more than guesswork or at best,
intuition.
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Research Objectives
What do you want to
achieve from your research?
Stateyour objectives in clear
and brief manner.
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QUALITIES OF RESEARCH
Good research is systematic as it follows
certain steps.
These steps are:
➢ Problem identification
➢ Reviewing the literature
➢ Collecting data
➢ Analysing data
➢ Drawing conclusions and making
generalizations
Types of Research
1. Application- Pure and Applied Research
Applied- Finding solutions for immediate
problems facing a society/organization
Pure- Concerned with generalization and
formulation of a theory
2. Inquiry Mode- Quantitative and qualitative
Quantitative- Measurements of quantity or amount
Qualitative- Concerned with qualitative
phenomena (reasons for human behavior)
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Research and research methods
Research methods are split broadly into
quantitative, qualitative, and Mixed
Methods
Which you choose will depend on
⚫ your research questions
⚫ your underlying philosophy of research
⚫ your preferences and skills
Planning
• Statement of the problem
• Literature review
• Choice of research method
• Design of the study
• Data collection
• Analysis of data
• Write-up
The Structure of Thesis (1)
Chapter 1 – Introduction
⚫ Background of the Problem
⚫ Statement of the Problem
⚫ Purpose of the Study
⚫ Research Questions or Objectives
⚫ Definition of Terms
⚫ Delimitations and Limitations of the Study
⚫ Summary of Chapter One
The Structure of Thesis (2)
Chapter 2 – Literature Review
⚫ Covers important theories and research findings upon
which the research problem was based.
Chapter 3 – Research Methodology
⚫ Describes in detail how the research will be conducted
Chapter 4 – Findings
⚫ Focuses on the data gathered throughout the procedures
used in the study.
Chapter 5 – Summary, Discussions, Conclusions, and
Recommendations
THEOLOGICAL RESEARCH
PREPARATION
Foundational Questions
What is your topic?
Why does it interest you?
From what disciplinary perspective will you
approach it? (theological, pastoral, biblical,
historical)
What questions emerge as you reflect on the
topic?
Where would you begin searching for relevant
sources?
Strategies
1. The Question
2. The Method
3. The Sources
4. The Conversation
1. The Question
Good theological research begins with an inquiry,
a question, a topic of investigation
⚫ “The Church Sacraments seeking
understanding” expressed in questions
The Researcher established the question:
⚫ “What is the faithful’s understanding of the
Sacrament of Penance? How would they
describe it?
Key Point: Begin with a carefully formulated
research question or statement
Question: Example
1. Identify your topic:
⚫ Orthodox Spirituality in the Contemporary World
2. Reformulate it as a question:
⚫ “How does the concept of Orthodox Spirituality be
practiced in the Contemporary World?
3. Extend, refine, & clarify the question:
⚫ “What does the faithful spiritual growth have to do
with how they integrate their faith and profession?”
4. Explain why the question interests you and why it might
concern a wider theological audience
2. The Method
Questions lead to methods
⚫ If you ask questions in a particular way, then you
are proceeding from a methodology or research
perspective
Range of methodologies:
⚫ Exegetical
⚫ Historical
Methodology chosen will impact conclusions
Key Point: Identify the methodology you will use
3. The Sources
Questions can only be answered by engagement
with texts
Familiarity with key Theological & Biblical
sources + specific ones relating to your topic
Facility with library and online searching
techniques: location, evaluation, use
Requires familiarity with documentation, citation
styles, avoidance of plagiarism, and bibliographic
conventions
Key Point: Become familiar with sources,
their location, & use
4. The Conversation
Research means entering into a conversation involving
you, the sources, other theologians, & the topic/
question presented as the point of reference
Conversation driven by research question, methodology
chosen, & sources identified
Based on the research question established, with whom
do you want to have the conversation?
Key Point: Think about your question, your
methodology & your sources to determine your
conversation partners
Research Proposal
Every theological research project should begin with a
research proposal.
Before writing a thesis or a dissertation, your proposal
needs to be approved by a panel of experts.
The University requires you to submit a brief proposal
for a term paper.
You will benefit from preparing one for yourself; it will
focus your thoughts and give your research direction.
The ability to conceptualize and write a quality
proposal is the mark of a man ready to do independent
research.
What is a Research Proposal?
Statement of intent
⚫ Academically prepared to complete the
research
⚫ Audience: peers, supervisors, examiners
What is a Research Proposal?
A research proposal is your PLAN
⚫ Itdescribes in detail your study
⚫ Decisions about your study are based on the
quality of the proposal
Approvals to proceed by the Institutional
Review Board (IRB)
Importance of a Research Proposal?
Contract between you and your committee
1. Serves to protect the student
⚫ Demanding additional requirements
2. Protects the committee from the student
⚫ From delivering a degree of poor quality
What are the Essential Ingredients?
The Issue
What problem does
your research
address?
Research Benefit
Design What will the
How will the research research
achieve its objective? contribute?
The Elements of a Research Proposal
A research proposal consists of two main parts:
1. Includes the research problem - addresses “the
what” of the study; it describes the problem
the researcher will attempt to solve.
2. Consists of the research plan - focuses on “the
how” of the study; it explains how the
researcher will go about solving the research
problem.
The Sections of a Research Proposal (1)
Part 1: The research problem
1- The statement of the problem
⚫ 1.1 The main problem
⚫ 1.2 The Research questions
2- The clarification of the problem
⚫ 2.1 Delimitations of the study
⚫ 2.2 Definitions of key terms
⚫ 2.4 Preliminary literature review
3- The value of the study
⚫ 3.1 Theological value
⚫ 3.2 Practical value
The Sections of a Research Proposal (2)
Part 2: The research plan
4- The research design
⚫ 4.1 The model
⚫ 4.2 The structure
⚫ 4.3 The timeframe
5- The research methodology
⚫ 5.1 The data
⚫ 5.2 The tools
⚫ 5.3 The steps
6- The annotated bibliography
Research Proposal – Short Form
Initial Research Title
Introduction - What is your research area, the motivation of
research, and how important is it for the industry
practice/knowledge advancement?
Problem Statement - What is the specific problem in that
research area that you will address?
Research questions
Objectives - What are the benefits/impacts?
Preliminary Literature Review - What is known/what have
been done by others? And, why your research is still necessary?
Methodology - Which research methods will be used
References – APA
APA Citation
Barber, C. & Krauss, R.M. (2000). An introduction to
theological research: A guide for college and seminary students.
Lanham: University Press of America.
Leedy, P.D. (1993). Practical research: Planning and design.
5th Ed. New York: MacMillan.
Mouton, J. (2001). How to succeed in your master's and
doctoral studies. Pretoria, South Africa: Van Schaik.
Yaghjian, L.B. (2006). Writing theology well: A rhetoric for
theological and biblical writers. New York: Continuum.
Sample Research Titles
Biblical
⚫ Providing the Biblical account of how the World was
created.
Theological
⚫ Exploring the concept of life after death in the Orthodox
Theology.
Spiritual
⚫ The Concept of the Orthodox Spirituality as a way of life.
⚫ The Christian model of living and how it impacts society.
⚫ How does religion impact people’s daily life?
Sample Research Titles
Pastoral
⚫ Examining pastoral counseling versus classical
psychology.
⚫ The impact of Servant Leadership on the Church
Leader’s performance.
⚫ How does leadership affect the growth of
Church?
Historical
⚫ Historical contributions of St. Gregory the Great
to pastoral theology.
Sample Questions (1)
How do you define the terms ‘Research’
and ‘Methodology’?
List out the research stapes.
Briefly explain the types of research.
Briefly discuss the main objectives of the
research.
How do you describe the foundational
questions in the theological research
preparation?
Sample Questions (2)
What is meant by a Research Proposal?
Briefly clarify the code of ethics in
research.
There are several research features.
Identify some of them.
State different disciplinary approaches in
theological research.
What are the structures of the research
paper? Briefly explain.