Research in Ministry: A Primer for the Doctor of Ministry Program (Studies in Ministry & Parish Life)

By William R. Myers

Book Overview

The subject of this book is the formulation of Doctor of Ministry projects by ministers engaged in the practice of ministry. It offers a critique of some of the more traditional approaches to research... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0913552518
• ISBN13: 9780913552513
• Release Date: January 1851
• Publisher: Exploration Press
• Length: 87 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Research Methodology

This book, while brief, packs a lot in 80 pages. It is well worth the "read" to get an overview of the narrative research approach. Examples in each chapter are helpful. Qualitative verses quantitative research benefits are made clear. I appreciate the author's point that research can be more than just impericism. If you are looking for some insights about research methodology, this is a great book to consider.

Book Review For Anderson School of Theology

William R. Myers in this book explains how to write a concise doctoral thesis. He talks about how "students are ... to become more intentional, more critically reflective, and more explicit regarding what it is that they think they are doing theoretically in their 'practices of ministry.'" (22) The personal experience becomes very important when writing. (31) This book was very helpful for me to be able to understand how that personal experience is reflected in the thesis for a doctoral. Myers is very adamant that the "D.Min. student formulates a "project" (34) for engaging in "the practice of ministry." (34) As we write the thesis, our findings must be reflective of our personal ministry. It is important for us to understand that as data is gathered that we personalize the data into meaningful ministry. The book gives an excellent detail of the process of doing a D.Min paper. The book also gives examples of how to go about doing a questionaire, gather data, do interviews, and how to keep a daily journal to reflect the data that is being gathered. This book is an excellent handbook for reference while doing a D.Min thesis.

A "How-to" guide for ministerial research.

Designed specifically for Doctor of Ministry degree students, "Research in Ministry" takes the guesswork out of how to identify, research and evaluate problems and practices in ministerial settings. In an easy-to-read, efficient manner, Myers explains how to choose research topics, propose and outline research projects, identify basic theories and assumptions, gather, analyze and quantify data, introduce possible solutions to problems within the ministerial context, and report their outcomes. Myers "separates the wheat from the chaff", explaining methods that that will produce a relevant and concise "telling of the ministerial story", and includes information about how the D.Min. research project is unique among the social sciences. Practical, compelling and informative,"Research in Ministry" is a "must read" for everyone considering or engaged in ministerial research.