Effective research requires a plan. Efficiency of time and use of resources can make the difference in the degree of success the student will experience in his projects. Read through this suggested research method, then download one of the two documents below it. One is illustrated with One-Note pictures, the other plain text.
A Suggested Method of Research
1. Begin with a topic. Once chosen, you may consult a Bible/theological dictionary or encyclopedia for a general description of your topic (for example, “dispensationalism”).
2. Write down a list of key words--names, dates, places, and themes.
3. You now have valuable search criteria. By using a “key word” search on any research tool, you may locate relevant books and journal articles. Throughout your research, you will likely want to narrow your topic. A suggested order for most research papers would be:
- Bible computers (primarily for exegetical work)
- Library Catalogue
- Theological Journal Online
- Federated Search.
Helpful Hints
If you find a helpful book in our library, look in that general section (ie. 230.046) for related books; maybe you missed them during your research.
- If you find a helpful book or article, that author may have other helpful materials available. Do an “author” search.
- You may want to check the footnotes, endnotes, or bibliographies of helpful books and articles. These may be your most valuable research tool.
- Dialogue with others who have studied or thought about your topic.
- Don’t become so absorbed in “extra-scriptural” materials that you forget to search Scripture itself. Good research is grounded in exegesis (“out of the text”) and aided by reflective books and articles (John 5:39).