Customer Reviews

Quality Research Papers

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Vyhmeister sets out to provide step-by-step guidance to completing all manner of written works for students of 'theology'. By theology, it is really meant any type of Christian religious instruction, not just an M. Div. With this in mind, Vyhmeister largely meets the goal, giving instructions (sometimes often very basic ones) for selecting a topic, organizing a paper, conducting research, etc.

Where this work shines is in the bibliography examples. If you need a bibliography entry for a multi-author, multi-volume commentary, there is an example. Indeed, there are a bewildering variety of examples, many of which I never hope to meet, but I rest in the assurance that I have an example. This work also has a very good, simple process for conducting research, something that is often not taught. Had I followed it, I could tell you where Vyhmeister declares that my papers can become works of art. Alas, I just don't remember!

On the other hand, the section on statistics, graphs and tables, is cursory at best, and any true research effort involving statistical analysis and presentation of same would require a more specialized work. I say this as a warning to users of the book, not as a negative of this work.

Additionally, the work is very helpful if you are entering into theological studies from another career, such as engineering. While not explicit, one can gain a very good understanding of just who theological papers differ from other types of research.

Finally, Zondervan's paper back binding is terrible. My copy showed significant wear after its first reading, and I suspect that it will wear out in short order. That is all the more surprising, considering it is a very useful desk reference. Indeed it even says that it is an "... Indispensable Guide to Writing...". If you really feel that way Zondervan, make a hardback!

Nancy Jean Vyhmeister has written a thoughtful, considerate, and readable technical manual on the art of writing quality research papers. The two chapters: "Theses and Dissertations" (XVIX), and "D.Min. Projects" (XX), are especially directed to graduate students in theology. Quality Research Papers, itself, serves as an illustration of its substantive content. It is the type of reference that a D.MIN. candidate, and other thesis/dissertation writers, would be well advised to have readily available, so as to be reminded about and to be able to check upon the details of their graduate compositions. The concluding sentence: "May your D.Min. Project bring satisfaction to you and glory to God" (2001:200), is truly a two way blessing. Vyhmeister in offering her blessing was also blessed by meeting her goal of producing a manual and a model.
For a text originally written in Spanish in 1980 (2001:ix), and published in English translation in 1989, it is still au courant. Vyhmeister pays introductory homage to the work of Kate L. Turabian's The Chicago Manual of Style, as an essential source for those who need: "even more detailed instructions" (2001:ix). She is particularly considerate in describing what `research' is and what `research' is not (2001:1-5). The key, according to Vyhmeister, is for the dissertation writer to focus in as objective a way as is humanly possible on the subject matter under consideration and present the truth with all due humility.
In a step-by-step process, Vyhmeister leads her reader through the basic steps of discovering pertinent resource materials, choosing a topic, "defining the problem" (2001:23 - 25), to writing an outline. Tried and true index cards are described as part of the methodology of developing a working memory of salient points from the multiplicity of texts read over an extended period of time. The details of documentation, the effective organization of information, formatting, the inclusion of charts and graphs, and the process of revision are covered. Throughout, the reader is reminded that time - much time - is needed. The need to provide adequate time should not be underestimated. "The thesis will dominate your life" (2001:186). Time management is essential. She wrote: "It is imperative to develop - and follow - a chronogram that allows time for reading and corrections. This goes for both you and your adviser!" (2001:187).
Finally, Vyhmeister reminds the dissertation writer to remember: "often only the first and last chapters of a dissertation or project are read. Thus, everything of vital importance must be in those two chapters: where you intended to go and what you found when you arrived there" (2001:194 - 195). The hard work of what goes in between provides the credibility.
Quality Research Papers conveys style, grace, sensitivity, integrity, simplicity, comprehensiveness, and an unmistakable appeal to the quality of excellence. In the background are reverberations from the host of international scholars past, present, and future, who unite in saying: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21).

Vyhmeister's Quality Research Papers for Students of Religion and Theology is a comprehensive writing guide. This book thoroughly identifies the many aspects of writing theological research papers from short book reviews, to exegesis, to dissertations. The author covers every step of the process from understanding what research is to selecting your topic, from thinking like a researcher to taking reading notes, and from writing footnotes to formatting a page. Each stage of the writing process is describes in great detail and is well illustrated.

I found this book to be extremely helpful as I prepare to write my dissertation. Because of its many helpful examples, it will serve as a very useful reference guide along my whole writing process from creation to completion. I recommend this book, especially to those early in their theological, biblical, and ministerial studies.

This book turns out to be a very good handbook. Definitions of how to go about doing research for a disortation are concise and very descriptive. For instance Chapter III Choosing a Topic, helped me to understand how to narrow down the topic so it can be specific. According to Vyhmeister, when a topic is specific, it becomes easier to research the disortation. The author says that "it goes from impossible to feasible." (17) The chapter on Planning Research is also very helpful. This book covers all of the examples necessary to write a very good paper. Case studies, designing programs, and sampling are also covered in great detail. This is an excellent handbook for the doctoral student.

Nancy Vyhmeister's Quality Research Papers for Students of Religion and Theology is an excellent handbook for the writing of quality research papers. The book provides a comprehensive and balanced perspective on the different aspects of research writing. Most of the chapters are concise yet replete of straight forward instructions, practical tips, and suggestions of additional helps from books, journals and websites. There is much to appreciate from this volume.

Books like these are tediously boring. At least most of them are. But this book was actually quite interesting. Nancy Vhymeister discusses how to choose a topic, write a thesis proposal, conduct research, take notes, create bibliographies, contruct footnotes and end notes, and she also introduces the student to software and internet websites which will provide the most help.

She even has a final chapter about how to prepare a final project for the Doctor of Ministry degree.

I'm not looking forward to all the other books in this genre that have been assigned to me, but I am happy to report that this one was helpful and held my interest.

For over a dozen years I taught thesis research and writing at two major seminaries. I first saw Vymeister's text as a manuscript for the first edition. I decided even then to use it as a required text. Her second edition is appropriately updated to explain the latest electronic research tools. The work is thorough without being oppressive, even for grad students who've managed to get to the thesis stage still without learning how to read and write at the academic level--many of them. This is an excellent text for students who have the misfortune of attending seminaries who do not offer courses in thesis research and writing. Since all these skills are sometimes not acquired by divine revelation, Vymeister's helpful work is a lifesaver for unguided thesis writers who feel abandoned to the seemingly insurmountable task of creating a thesis or dissertation.
(Jon Ruthven is the author of On the Cessation of the Charismata: The Protestant Polemic on Post-biblical Miracles--Revised & Expanded Edition (Tulsa: Word & Spirit Press, 2011) and What's Wrong with Protestant Theology: Religious Tradition vs. Biblical Emphasis (Tulsa: Word & Spirit Press, 2012).

As a seminary student who dreads writing never knowing where to start a paper therefore avoiding it until the 11th hour, this book has made a lasting impression upon my outlook and output. It's easy to follow making it a quick guide.

This is a good book that I used to help with writing papers. It has helped me to write my research papers. I recommend this greatly!

Found this book has some great tips on how to research and write essay's and it gives easy to follow examples. Worth while if you are a student who has not studied for a while or someone who did not pay attention in school (like myself). But the book is what the title say it is! it does not cover exams and has a religious focus like the title says.