Course Area of Study:
Students entering their fourth semester of the program will begin to develop their expertise in developing research methods particular to their subject matter and ministry context. The candidacy Review will take place during the fourth semester of the program. This course will introduce students to the ways in which choices of methodology are closely linked to broader theoretical and conceptual issues. Students will be provided with a critical understanding of the philosophical commitments and behavioral assumptions in research methodology enabling them to consider the appropriateness of different methodologies and types of evidence to examine problems in their ministry context. Students will gain an understanding of a variety of research methods, including focus group research, survey research, interviewing, participant observation, case studies, comparative analysis, and the use of documentary and primary sources.