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Quality Research Papers: For Students of Religion and Theology | 
| Author: Nancy Jean Vyhmeister
Publisher: Zondervan
Category: Book
List Price: $16.99
Buy New: $11.55
You Save: $5.44 (32%)
Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 194211
Media: Paperback
Edition: 2
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 288
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.9
ISBN: 0310274400
Dewey Decimal Number: 200.72
EAN: 9780310274407
Publication Date: February 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 Good and Faithful Scholarship July 24, 2002
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
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).
 Not Indispensable, But Really Very Good January 25, 2007
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
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!
Book Review For Anderson School of Theology September 17, 2002
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
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.
An Excellent Writing Guide September 16, 2002
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
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.
Excellent resource January 9, 2007
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
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.
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