Scholarly
Research
1 Introduction to Research
Definitions
“Science” and “scientific” refer to “hard” sciences, such as physical or natural
sciences;
“Scholarship“ and “scholarly” are broader and can be used more generally for
profound knowledge of a particular subject, also in the in the fields of humanities
and social sciences;
“Academic research” refers to research done in academia, i.e. in colleges and
universities, versus ”scientific research” that can be undertaken in both academia
and the industry and “scholarly research” in academia and other institutions
Introduction to Research 2
What is scholarly research?
Fundamental
Pure
Mathematics
Philosophy
(pure
economy)
Quantifiable Evaluable
Agriculture
(applied Law
economy)
Applied
3 Introduction to Research
Scholarly research
• Starts as a research question;
• Looks what has already been done (‘state of Researcher
the art’) & where the gaps are still situated;
• Defines the problem;
• Develops and answer
• Data (primary sources, interviews…)
• Theory
• Method;
• Knowledge through interaction
• Conferences Research Research
• Peer review Object community
• Rankings;
4 Introduction to Research
Theory
Data
Method
Research results
Introduction to Research 5
How academic literature is created?
Research
results
Conference
Reviews
papers
Books Articles
Peer review
6 Introduction to Research
Stages in the writing process
1. Starting point
2. Brainstorm session
3. Broad exploration
4. Further containment
5. First idea
of text outline
6. Writing
7 Introduction to Research
Problem statement &
Research question
8 Introduction to Research
9 Introduction to Research
Looking for a topic
Interest Skills
10 Introduction to Research
Interests
• What topics do I already know about?
• What do I want to know more about? A place? A person? Time period? An object? An
idea? A development?
• What do I find on the internet and social media that interests me? What debates do I
follow?
• Have you ever taken a position in a debate but could not support your point with good
arguments and evidence?
• What issues do you think people outside your specific field of study really don't
understand enough?
• What topic is your supervisor working on? Would you like to contribute to this research?
• Does your library have an important collection in a particular domain?-What courses do
you really like or look forward to taking?
• What kind of research would help you in your dream job later on?
11 Introduction to Research
Skills
• What can I already do?
• Am I aware of certain theories? Are there certain thinkers who influenced how I
look at the world?
• Do I already have experience with certain methods?
• How much do I enjoy reading? How quickly do I process literature?
• How much do I like talking to people? Do I already have experience with
interviews?
• Do I prefer to analyse things in minute detail or do I like the big picture, synthesis?
• What computer programmes do I like to use? How much do I like working with
specialised software? Do I like creating databases?
12 Introduction to Research
‘5
Exercise interests and
skills
• Make two lists:
• In the first list, you write down all your interests
related to the field of theology and religious
studies;
• In the second list, you write down all the skills
you may need in the development of your
research
13 Introduction to Research
Problem statement and
research question motive
• What is the problem you want to
solve?
• Eggo Müller’s ‘Disk of five’ relevance method
• What (phenomenon) Problem
• Why (motive) statement
• Relevance
• Frame (theory)
• How (methods & skills) phenomeno
theory
n
14 Introduction to Research
Problem statement & Research question in
theology and religious studies
• Interreligious Dialogue • ‘Animal turn’ in Religious
• Biblical Studies • History of Religions Studies
• Theological Anthropology • Popular Religion
• Systematic Theology and the • Sociology of Religion • Religious Education
Study of Religions • Mysticism and Spirituality • Film and Religion
• Feminist Theology • Psychology of Religion
• Theological and Comparative • Liturgy and ‘Ritual Studies’ • Religion and Migration
Ethics • Study of Judaism • Lived religion
• Study of Islam
• History of Church and • Quranic studies
Theology • Religion and Science
• Religion an Literature
• Pastoral and Empirical • Theologies of Liberation
Theology • Cultural studies of religion
• Art and Religion
• ‘Material turn’ in Religious
Studies
15 Introduction to Research
‘10
Exercise problem statement
& research question
• Choose a domain that catches your interest
• What associations do you make with this domain?
• What is the general theme you could work on?
• What sub-aspects can you study in the process?
Xmind to brainstorm (https://www.xmind.net/)
16 Introduction to Research
1. Engages with Existing Scholarship
The research question connects with prior research: A
good question should engage with current theological
and religious scholarship, the ‘state of the art’. It might
expand on or challenge existing insights or theological
models, thus entering into dialogue with past scholars,
thinkers and their interpretations.
Research
Question 2. Original and Insightful
The research question addresses a gap in existing
scholarship or opens new avenues for discussion:
The question should contribute something new to the
field, whether by revisiting an overlooked area,
offering a new interpretation of a traditional concept,
or exploring the implications of contemporary events.
Introduction to Research 17
3. Clear and Focused
A good research question is clear and focused. It
is neither too broad nor too narrow. It should
Research avoid being vague or overly generalized.
•For example, instead of asking, “What is the role
Question of religion in society?”, a more focused question
would be, “How has Christian theology shaped
understandings of social justice in 20th-century
America?”
Introduction to Research 18
4. Complex Enough for Discussion
The research question should allow for a deeper and
nuanced investigation. Rather than a simple "yes" or
"no" answer, it should stimulate profound analysis and
critical thinking, through an engagement with multiple
interpretations and perspectives.
Research •For example: Instead of asking, "Do students like
Question online classes?“, ask, "How do different aspects of
online learning (e.g., flexibility, engagement,
technology) impact student satisfaction?“
•Or “How has feminist theology challenged traditional
understandings of the divine in Christianity?” invites
a deeper inquiry into both feminist theory and
theological traditions.
Introduction to Research 19
5. Researchable
The research question should invite complex,
nuanced answers, but still be answerable through
recognized research methods in the field, such as
literary, textual and historical methods; systematic
and hermeneutical methods; practical and
Research empirical methods (questionnaires, interviews).
Avoid questions that rely solely on subjective
Question opinions, metaphysical assumptions, or moral
judgments.
•For example, "What is the relationship between
social media usage and anxiety in teenagers?"
can be researched using surveys, interviews, or
existing data.
Introduction to Research 20
6. Feasible
Ensure that you can realistically answer the
question given your time, budget, the location
where you are, as well as the resources you have
Research at your disposal. Avoid questions that include too
many aspects or require inaccessible data.
Question •For example: "What is the impact of a vegan diet
on cholesterol levels in middle-aged adults?" is
feasible if you can collect relevant data within the
scope of your resources (time, tools, access to
participants, etc.).
Introduction to Research 21
7. Significant and Relevant
A good research question addresses a problem
that is important to the field of research, the
Church, or broader society. One should consider
whether the research question is something also
Research others may care about. It should contribute to
existing knowledge or provide insights that can be
Question applied in real-world contexts.
•For Example: "What strategies are effective in
reducing food waste in urban communities?" or
“What is the theological significance of the
concept of grace in Augustine’s early sermons?”
Introduction to Research 22
8. Ethical
Ensure that the research question does not lead
to unethical practices in data collection, such as
Research harm to participants or misuse of sensitive
Question information.
Usually, the statement that the research will be
conducted ethically forms a separate part of a
research proposal
Introduction to Research 23
Roadmap for arriving at a research question
• Choose a topic you are interested in and can research
• Do some preliminary research into the matter (encyclopedia, dictionaries
reference works, Wikipedia [English, French, German, Italian, Spanish,…])
• Consider where the gaps in the knowledge are
• Define your research question
Original perspective Feasible
Clear and focused Significant and relevant
Complex enough for discussion Ethical
Researchable
• Starts with the words: “This research will...”; “This research question aims...”;
“the primary objective of this research is...”
• You may subdivide your general question into three or four sub-questions.
24 Introduction to Research
Examples of not-so-good research questions
We see in today's society a great diversity of religions. In most schools there is a
very diverse climate, many initiatives are taken to bring those diverse groups
together. Only today's youth movements seem to be lagging somewhat behind...
Just a few mere percent of the members of a Flemish youth movement are
Muslims. Yet change is also on the way and more and more attention is being paid
to diversity within a youth movement group. Still, one can argue that the youth
movement does not (yet) reflect today's society. How does this separation
between society and youth movement group come about? What initiatives are
taken to close this gap? And how are youth movement group leaders trained to
deal with this religious diversity in their group of tomorrow?
25 Introduction to Research
Examples of not-so-good research questions
The German Jesuit Karl Rahner was one of the most important theologians of
the 20th century and wrote an impressive body of work. In this essay, we study
this entire oeuvre and look for concepts that align with concepts from the history
of Chinese philosophy.
26 Onderzoeksvaardigheden, Faculteit Theologie en Religiewetenschappen
Examples of good research questions
The overarching goal of this research is to explore how the sisters of the Society of Jesus
Mary Joseph from the Netherlands, the medical volunteers from Australia and the native
sisters of India constructed their identities in light of the shifting socio-cultural context between
1904 and 1969. This project seeks to accomplish this by answering the following four related
sub-questions:
1. What strategies did the pioneers and successive Dutch, and Australian sisters adapt in
view of challenges (such as climate, language, and cultural beliefs) and socio-political
conditions during their mission in India between 1904 and 1969?
2. Who were the Handmaids of Mary, what were their roles and how were they incorporated
into JMJ?
3. How did the pioneers and later generations received and shaped the spirituality of their
founder Mathias Wolff SJ and how did they align it with their own identities?
4. How did JMJ missionaries employ their services in promoting Catholicism in India either or
not through cultural adaptation before and after Vatican II?
27 Introduction to Research
Examples of good research questions
The primary objective of this research is to investigate and analyse how Joseph Cardijn’s ‘See-
Judge-Act’ method influenced the Indian reception of Vatican II, and what impact this had on
the development of contemporary Indian social Catholicism,
This objective is pursued through the resolution of four sub-questions in this undertaking:
1. How did Joseph Cardijn’s ‘See-Judge-Act’ principle and pre-existing Cardijn Movements
influence the Indian Catholic Church before and during the early years of Vatican II?
2. How did the All India Seminar and Kerala Regional Seminar apply the ‘See-Judge-Act’
method, and what were their key outcomes regarding the Vatican II reception?
3. How were the principles of Gaudium et Spes and Apostolicam Actuositatem applied in
Indian social Catholicism using Cardijn’s ‘See-Judge-Act’ methodology?
4. 4. How did the Kerala Labour Movement and the Kerala Catholic Youth Movement
incorporate Vatican II principles and Cardijn’s ‘See-Judge-Act’ methodology into their
activities and goals?
28 Introduction to Research
29 Introduction to Research
Source materials for the research question
• The Writing Center at George Mason University:
https://writingcenter.gmu.edu/guides/how-to-write-a-research-question (access 1
October 2024)
• Writing studio, What Makes a Good Research Question?,
https://sites.evergreen.edu/mediaworks1516/wp-content/uploads/sites/121/2016/
03/Research.pdf
(access 1 October 2024)
• Duke University, Writing as a Process,
https://twp.duke.edu/twp-writing-studio/resources-students/writing-process/drafti
ng
(access 1 October 2024)
• Vanderbilt University Writing Center, Checklist of Potential Research Questions
in the Humanities
30
https://www.vanderbilt.edu/writing/resources/handouts/research-question/
Introduction to Research
Exercise ‘60
Research Question
• Consider a topic within theology and religious studies
that you think is worth exploring
• Formulate one research question
• Look at three short articles: Wikipedia (various
languages); St Andrews Encyclopaedia of Theology
(online; OA); Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
(online; OA)
Or: The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church
(physical and online); The Cambridge Dictionary of
Christianity (physical and online); The Cambridge
Dictionary of Christian Theology (physical and
online).
• Submit by Monday 7 October, by 12:00 a.m. at the
latest
31 Introduction to Research
