Does Research Really Make A Difference?

By Steve Huerd

This morning I found myself trying to comfort a mother who was very concerned about passing along her faith to her emerging adult-aged children.  Fortunately, I knew that the latest research indicated that emerging adults are the least religious adults in the United States today due in part to all the transitions they encounter in the 18-23 year age group.  She and her husband had walked faithfully with the Lord and done everything they could to pass on their faith to their children, yet she had still had a sense of uncertainty.  Having just completed my dissertation examining the social factors affecting adolescent faith development, I was in a great position to speak of the latest social research findings to her.

Being three months down the road from finishing my research has given me opportunity to reflect back upon how research has shaped my thinking.  I’ve come up five observations as to how my life has been influenced thus far from engaging in scholarly research. 

First, I’d have to say is that the value of research has greatly increased in my thinking.   Coming from a highly pragmatic ministry background, I was steeped in the practical approach of “if it works, then let’s use it.”  Though well-intentioned and trained in successful ministry practices, I confess to rarely understanding or often even considering they “whys” behind why a certain practice was effective.  All one had to do was simply do it and you would get results.  Yet, now because of my research, I am able to explain why certain practices and effective and others are not, why many people respond the way they do, and others do not.  I can even suggest shortcomings in our understanding of certain phenomena which eventually could lead to new tools and strategies designed for greater effectiveness. 

Second, research helped reaffirm truths I‘ve lived by for years.  For example, the old saying, “students don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care,” is really a popular phrasing of the recent empirical findings indicating that the quality of relationships between a mentor and a mentee are of primary importance to mentoring effectiveness.

Third, research confirmed some foggy ideas floating in my thinking.  Research clearly spells out that programming in youth ministry is not nearly as important as developing relationships with the students.  I had essentially “come to the same conclusion,” years ago in my field ministry of trial and error, but no one had ever really confirmed this truth to me.

Fourth, and maybe the most profound, is that research helped me explain my own experience.  Let me explain.  One of the most important findings of my research dealt with how attachment theory related to adolescent spirituality.  Attachment theory is the emotional bond formed between a child and their primary attachment figure, a parent/guardian, etc. who cares for them.  If a child, for whatever reason, forms an insecure attachment with their parent/guardian, then they are more likely to experience a sudden conversion in adolescence.  If a child forms a secure attachment with their parent/guardian, then they more likely to become socialized into their parents’ religious views.  This helped me, in part, to explain why I experienced such a strong conversion to Christ in high school while others, who are brought up in Christian homes, often do not experience such sudden changes in their religiosity.

Finally, knowing the latest research findings liberates me from the false claims of others.  For example, many who claim that we are “losing our kids” or that this generation may be the last “Christian” generation may mean well, but research reveals that American teenagers largely adopt their parent’s religious views and are not dramatically less religious than former generations.

To someone who was initially somewhat skeptical of the value of empirical research toward ministry practice, I’ve come a long way in my thinking.  And while others may find many more compelling reasons justifying the value of empirical research, at least I know of one person’s thinking who has been changed.

The Worst Way to Approach a Research Project

by Timothy Howe

Start by gathering "enough" data
Research implies gathering data. One temptation to be resisted is thinking that there is such a thing as "enough" data. No amount of information will ever seem like enough. It is not even possible to determine what constitutes "enough" during the research stage. Certainly, gathering a large volume of data is important, but avoid determining in advance what amount will be sufficient. 


Expect the research to organize itself
A sure way to bog down in a project is to permit the data to dictate the research process. This will lead the researcher down whatever trail the research leads instead of gathering the most important information for the project. Instead, start with an outline and stick with the outline. Only veer off it when it proves untenable. Good organization will cause good research.


Don't worry about the context of your quotes
Quotations are important since they give authority to your work, whether in support of your argument or as an argument to counter. But ignoring the context of the quote could affect understanding. Each quote originates in  a field that gives it meaning. Be sure to not strip the quote out of that field without its reinforced meaning.  


Don't verify if you are quoting the author's idea correctly
More dire than ignoring context, the researcher could misrepresent the ideas of the original source. Not all information is easy to process and it is easy to misunderstand ideas. As one quotes experts, it is vitally important to get the facts right. Poor quality control at this stage could nullify a research project. 


Find the hidden "gems"
Research is about hard work. There are rarely moments when a researcher happens upon a special "gem" that fills in all the gaps. The end product comes about as the result of persistence and tenacity. Hope will never be a replacement for effort.


Research possesses a time element. Thus it is crucial to get the right data, get it into some order, verify it and get to hard work quickly. 

How to Choose Your Research Topic in 6 Steps

by Timothy Howe

All Academics research. It is a part of the job. If you are in academia you will need to research. Whether you are working on a research paper, thesis, dissertation, field project, or a new book, you will need to research. Many times research topics come easily. They are dictated by someone else, by pressing circumstances or are a particular passion. However, almost every writer comes to a point in his or her career when he or she is required to write without a lead. The writer knows that something must be written, but what? 


Six Steps to Choosing Your Topic
1. Work in an area of personal interest.
You will not want to research a topic that is dull to you. The larger the project, the more personal investment will be required to stay the course. So, from the beginning investigate topics that interest you. It is also likely to be the area where you already have some expertise. 


2. Consider if your interest matters.
Just because you like a topic does not mean it is either important or interesting to others. Since writers presumably research in order to be read, consider if your interest matters. If it does not, select a new one. If it does, your are on the right track. 


3. Identify what research already exists in your field of interest.
You do not want to expend a great deal of research effort only to find out that someone else has written your paper. Identity what topics are sufficiently covered and what topics have questions yet unanswered or conclusions yet unchallenged.


4. Brainstorm various possibilities.
Before researching, sit down and come up with as many ideas as you can concerning your interest. Among other things, brainstorming benefits you by leading you to something you never before considered, helping to establish the outline for when you begin writing, and by producing many future topics. 


5. Narrow your topic to a manageable size.
It does no good to choose a topic of gargantuan scale. You must narrow your topic as soon as possible to a size that is appropriate for your project. Research papers must be very narrow in focus; theses, dissertations and books can be a bit broader, but be careful to not let them grow unwieldy. 


6. Choose your topic. 
Sometimes the enemy is not the lack of a topic, but it is that you cannot decide between equally compelling topics. There comes a time when you must simply choose. Choose your topic and begin your research. Put your remaining other good topic ideas in your mental vault for future research.


Finally, once you have chosen your topic, start writing.