Quality Research Papers: For Students of Religion and Theology [Deluxe Edition] [Paperback]

Nancy Jean Vyhmeister (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 29, 2008

Nancy Vyhmeister's Quality Research Papers is fast becoming a standard reference textbook for writing research papers in the field of religion and theology. It takes the student from the beginning assignment of a paper through the research phase to the finished paper. This second edition gives improvements and added material for such things as the expanding field of online research and doing church-related research in a professional manner. Resources for doing research are updated throughout the book.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This much-needed resource takes theology students from start to finish in writing a quality term paper, thesis, or dissertation. Step by step, here is the guidance you need to:

Select a topic and narrow it down to a workable area of research Effectively use library and computer resources Write clear, relevant notes Organize your thoughts Format the paper, including footnotes and bibliography Present specific research such as surveys and case studies Use statistics, tables, and graphs

Well-organized, filled with helpful examples, and written with your unique needs as a theology student in mind, Quality Research Papers is your one-stop desktop guide to writing superbly crafted papers. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Nancy Vyhmeister (EdD, Andrews University) has forty-five years of experience in teaching future pastors and professors not only in the United States but throughout the world. She continues to have a global ministry in her retirement years, mostly teaching research and writing. She has authored several books, both in Spanish and English, including a Greek grammar for Spanish-speaking students. She was editor of Women in Ministry: Biblical and Historical Perspectives. SPANISH BIO: Nancy Weber de Vyhmeister es doctora en educacion de la Universidad Andrews. Cuenta con cuarenta y cinco anos de experiencia ensenando a futuros pastores y profesores, no solo en los Estados Unidos, sino en diferentes lugares del mundo. Ahora que esta jubilada continua con su ministerio global de ensenanza e investigacion. Es autora de varios libros en castellano y en ingles, como por ejemplo: Gramatica del griego para estudiantes de habla hispana.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan; 2 edition (January 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310274400
• ISBN-13: 978-0310274407
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #110,425 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #57 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Education

More About the Author

Nancy Vyhmeister (EdD, Andrews University) has forty-five years of experience in teaching future pastors and professors not only in the United States but throughout the world. She continues to have a global ministry in her retirement years, mostly teaching research and writing. She has authored several books, both in Spanish and English, including a Greek grammar for Spanish-speaking students. She was editor of Women in Ministry: Biblical and Historical Perspectives.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not Indispensable, But Really Very Good, January 25, 2007

By 

Mark A. Landers (Plano, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Quality Research Papers (Paperback)

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!

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good and Faithful Scholarship, July 24, 2002

By 

Sheldon H. Clark (Richmond, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Quality Research Papers (Paperback)

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).

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Writing Guide, September 15, 2002

By 

Mark Krenz (Anderson, IN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Quality Research Papers (Paperback)

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.