Dr.

Scott Barfoot DM102 Applied Research Project Development Seminar (BR) 3 Hours
sbarfoot@dts.edu; 214-887-5151 Summer 2019
Dallas Theological Seminary Residency July 8 –12, 2019

APPLIED RESEARCH PROJECT DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR

SYLLABUS v.1.15.19

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION

A “walk-through” of the development of the applied research and dissertation including problem- statement, research
question, hypotheses, research design, theoretical grounding and literature review, and biblical-theological foundation.
The course also explores thesis-writing strategies and ministry research methods.

II. COURSE OBJECTIVES & RATIONALE

A. COGNITIVE GOALS:
After successfully completing this course, students should:

1. Understand the nature, scope, process, limitations and standards of research leading to the DMin Applied
Research Project.
2. Distinguish among the types of projects regularly approved for DMin studies and know which research
method(s) is/are appropriate and relevant for their project.
3. Comprehend terms, concepts and processes common to research discourse in the behavioral sciences and
recognize which evaluative methods and processes are appropriate to a particular research strategy.

B. BEHAVIORAL GOALS:
After successfully completing this course, students should be able to:

1. Select from among topics of potential interest, those that are suitable for DMin research and state the research
problem and question of each in suitable form.
2. Locate and read with understanding, published reports of research on topics relevant to an Applied Research
Project topic.
3. Develop a tentative research proposal suitable in format and substance for submission to the student’s approved
readers.

C. AFFECTIVE GOALS:
After successfully completing this course students should:

1. Appreciate the need for rigorous adherence to research design and the creative freedom to resolve issues in
personal ministry, both of which are inherent in DMin research.
2. Think enthusiastically toward the Applied Research Project as the opportunity for guided exploration, creative
problem solving, and useful service to the body of Christ it truly is. As a result of participation in and successful
completion of this seminar students should be able to:
a. Write a proposal with a clearly formulated problem, a specific biblical foundation, a specifically
identified theoretical base and a precisely stated key researchable problem and question.
b. Organize and conduct doctoral-level library and field research.
c. Design a verifiable research project for the student's ministry.
d. Design a reliable instrument of measurement, evaluation or research strategy (usually with the
assistance of a research consultant).
e. Understand the development of a research proposal.
f. Conduct the field research of the project.
g. Evaluate results of the field research.
h. Write a dissertation that reports the findings of the project.
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III. COURSE TEXTBOOKS

A. Required
o Creswell, John W. and Creswell, J. David. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods
Approaches, 5th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2018.

th
o Fowler, J. Survey Research Methods. 5 ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2014. Read the book by Fowler
unless you plan to use the case study method for your research. If you intend to do case studies for your research
project, read Yin rather than Fowler.

th
o Yin, R. K. Case Study Research: Design and Methods. 6 ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. 2018.
Read the book by Yin if you plan to use the case study method for your research. If you intend to do survey or
program evaluation for your research project, read Fowler rather than Yin.

th
o Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 9 ed., rev. Wayne C.
Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams, Joseph Bizup, and William T. Fitzgerald. Chicago: The
University of Chicago Press, 2018.

B. Suggested
The "Suggested Texts" in the following list include work of a general nature and books specifically listed
according to your project type; the books are listed in order of preference under each category. You are not
required to read these books. The list is provided as reference sources to help you answer specific questions you
may have.

General Books on research methods:

Jarvis, P. The Practitioner-Researcher: Developing Theory from Practice. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1998.
Patton, Michael Quinn. Qualitative Evaluation and Research Methods. 2d ed. Newbury Park, CA: Publisher, 2001.
Rudestam, K. E. & Newton, R. R. Surviving Your Dissertation. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2007.
Strunk, W., Jr. & White, E. B. The Elements of Style (3rd ed.). New York: Macmillan, 1979.
VandeCreek, L., Bender, H. E., & Jordan, M. R. Research in Pastoral Care and Counseling: Quantitative and
Qualitative Approaches. Kutztown, PA: Journal of Pastoral Care Publications, 1994.
Williams, F. & Monge, P. Reasoning with Statistics. How to Read Quantitative Research. 5th ed. Fort Worth, TX:
Harcourt College Publishers, 2001.

Research Websites:
www.questia.com

For project type 1: Descriptive surveys:

Converse, J. M. & S. Presser. Survey Questions: Handcrafting the Standardized Questionnaire. Thousand Oaks,
CA: Sage Publications, 1986.
Fink, A. The Survey Handbook, L. B. Bourque and E. P. Fielder. How to Conduct Self- Administered and Mail
Surveys. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1995.

For project type 2: Program development and implementation:

(Most books listed under types 2 & 3 could apply in either context.)
King, J. A., Lynn Lyons Morris, and Carol Taylor Fitz-Gibbon. How to Assess Program Implementation.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1987.
Witkin, B. R. and J. W. Altschuld, Planning and Conducting Needs Assessment: A Practical Guide. Thousand
Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. 1995.
Morris, Lynn Lyons, Elaine Lindheim and Carol Taylor Fitz-Gibbon. How to Measure Performance & Use Tests.
2d ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1987.
Anderson, Lorin W., David Krathwohl, ed. A Taxonomy for Learning, Teaching, and Assessing: A Revision of
Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives. New York: Longmans, 2001.
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For project type 3: Program evaluation and response:

Boulmetis, John and Phyllis Dutwin. The ABCs of Evaluation; Timeless Techniques for Program and Project
Managers. San Francisco CA: Jossey-Bass Publisher, 2000.
Fitz-Gibbon, Carol Taylor, and Lynn Lyons Morris. How to Design a Program Evaluation. (2d ed.). Newbury Park,
CA: Sage Publications, 1987.
Bloom, B.S., ed. Taxonomy of Educational Objectives: The Classification of Educational Goals, Handbook 1,
Cognitive Domain. New York: Longman, 1956.
Gredler, M. E. Program evaluation. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1996.

For project type 4: Case studies:

Merriam, Sharan B. Qualitative Research and Case Study Applications in Education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass,
1998.
Erlandson, D. A., E. L. Harris, B. L., Skipper, and S. D. Allen. Doing Naturalistic Inquiry: A Guide to Methods.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1993.

Focus Groups:
Krueger, Richard A. & Casey, Mary Anne. Focus Groups (5th ed.). Thousand Oakes, CA: Sage Publications. 2015.

IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS

1. Contact the DMin office by phone (1-800-992-0998, ext. 5538) or email (dmin@dts.edu) to make a phone
appointment with Dr. Barfoot to discuss your project topic. If you have had previous discussions with Dr.
Barfoot concerning your project and are comfortable with the direction you are taking, you may send him an
email stating your intentions (sbarfoot@dts.edu). This should be done no later than May 30, 2018. (This phone
appointment will seek to help you decide whether your project will fit into one of the four categories below).

Most of the texts above were in print when this syllabus was prepared but may go out of print and become
unavailable. We have tried to avoid unusually expensive books. If a book you seek is out of print or out of stock,
please proceed to the next one on the list. Some of these books will be available at public or university libraries in
your area. If you have difficulty finding the books you need, check www.abebooks.com, www.barnesandnoble.com,
www.amazon.com/or call Dr. Barfoot at 214-887-5151.

2. Look over Creswell, John W. & Creswell, J. David Research Design: Qualitative,
Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, 5th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
Publications, 2018. You should be familiar with its contents for easy reference as you
do your research. You DO NOT need to read it word-for-word. The same is true for
the other listed required books. Due First Day of Residency.

3. Look over A Turabian, Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and
Dissertations. 9th ed., rev. Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams, Joseph Bizup, and
William T. Fitzgerald. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2018. and the DTS Supplement located
on your student campusnet webpage. Due First Day of Residency.

4. Bring a notebook/laptop computer with you to class. Download the Excel data analysis add-ins on to this
computer (you will receive instructions on this by email). Due First Day of Residency
DM102 Applied Research Project Development Seminar 4
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5. Complete requirements of t he e-mail dialogue. Follow assignments given in the

instructions for this interaction activity that are e-mailed to you. Due dates as assigned.
Note that Chapter six of the Creswell text discusses the “purpose statement.” You
will develop a “problem statement” for your research. Much of this material on
purpose statement will be helpful in writing your problem statement.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT READING

ASSIGNMENTS AND RECOMMENDED
BIBLIOGRAPHY
It is important that the student be aware of the general nature of the books on research
methodology that are assigned and recommended. If you have not read Mortimer Alder's book How To
Read a Book, it is imperative that you read it at this time. Our concern is that you carefully overview each
book before reading for detail. It is crucial that you read for an understanding of research principles. Many
of the books assigned for reading are designed for PhD work in psychological, sociological and other
types of research requiring sophisticated designs and complex statistical procedures. They could easily
frighten and discourage you in the early stages of reading.

Please understand that we are not requiring PhD work, though some of our standard research
methods are very similar. We are much more concerned about practical research of high quality. Most
DMin research is qualitative in nature rather than purely quantitative (some PhD work is also). However,
the principles that undergird your research will be discussed in this literature. You will need to understand
accepted procedures for evaluating and reporting your work. Please read for an understanding of those
principles. Do not read as if you were going to take a quiz on the level of detail presented in the books.

Adler, M. J., and C. van Doren. How To Read a book, rev. ed. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1972.

A. Residence Requirements (To be done during the seminar week.)

1. The student must do a library search to build an initial bibliography on the topic of his or her
project. This search should include relevant biblical and theological literature as well as
theoretical (sociological, psychological, missiological, communicative, educational, etc.)
literature. NOTE: Prior to conducting this search, a research librarian will instruct the students
on search procedures, during class hours (See the course schedule below).

2. Peruse a list of selected DMin projects in the reference section of the library. Examine these
projects to "get a feel" for their theoretical orientation, research design, literature review, and
biblical-theological base. BE AWARE THAT YOU WILL BE FOLLOWING TURABIAN
STYLE RATHER THAN APA STYLE. Do not use the parenthetical or reference list style
described in chapters 18-19 of Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers,
Theses, and Dissertations.

3. Read the Applied Research Project sections in the DMin Handbook

(http://www.dts.edu/dminhandbook) regarding research proposal, and project.

4. Attend all meetings of the seminar. (Plan to be on campus through Friday

afternoon. It would be best if you schedule your travel for Friday night or
Saturday in order to have adequate time with the library resources. See
course schedule below.)
5. During the seminar there will be library reading assignments to assist students to learn how to
design a project, write evaluation instruments, conduct a project, and write the dissertation.
DM102 Applied Research Project Development Seminar 5
Summer 2019

C. Post-residence Requirements

1. The student must read what he or she perceives to be the most pertinent literature discovered
in the search (assignment #1 above). At least 1500 pages must be read. A report statement that
the reading has been completed must be submitted with item #2 below. Due October 15, 2019.

2. Following the guidelines delineated in class, the student will write and submit a topic
approval form (TAF) to Dr. Scott Barfoot, ACCORDING TO A SCHEDULE AGREED
UPON IN CLASS. A tentative bibliography that represents the relevant biblical, theological,
and theoretical literature must be included. Acceptance by the course instructors does not
guarantee approval by the DMin Committee. THE TOPIC APPROVAL FORM
(TAF) WILL BE APPROVED BY DR. BARFOOT ACCORDING TO A
SCHEDULE AGREED UPON IN CLASS. WHEN THE TAF IS
APPROVED BY DR. BARFOOT IT WILL BE SENT FORWARD TO
THE APPOPRIATE CHAIRMAN FOR REVIEW AND TO THE DOCTOR
OF MINISTRY COMMITTEE FOR APPROVAL AND ASSIGNMENT OF
READERS. A SIMILAR PROCEDURE WILL BE USED FOR THE
PROPOSAL, HOWEVER THE PROPOSAL FOR DM102 WILL ONLY BE
REVIEWED BY THE DM102 PROFESSOR(S) .

3. The student will submit the first draft of the applied research project proposal ACCORDING
TO A SCHEDULE AGREED UPON IN CLASS. A tentative bibliography that represents the
relevant biblical, theological, and theoretical literature must be included. Tentative evaluation
instruments (surveys; questionnaires, etc.) must be included in an appendix to the proposal.
The student will electronically submit the final applied research project proposal developed
for DM102 requirements to Dr. Scott Barfoot by October 15, 2019. Acceptance by the
course instructor(s) does not guarantee approval by the applied research project advisor
and second reader. After the student has received approval of his or her topic from
the D.Min. Committee, he / she will submit the proposal paper to the first and
second readers (copy the DMin director) until the Research Proposal receives
approval. This class is a training exercise that constitutes practice or rehearsal for the
“Real Thing” which is described in the D.Min. Handbook
www.dts.edu/dminhandbook .

V. COURSE SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

DTS does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the operation of any of its programs and
activities. To avoid discrimination the student is responsible for informing the Coordinator of Services
for Students with Disabilities and the course instructor of any disabling condition that will require
modifications.
DM102 Applied Research Project Development Seminar 6
Summer 2019

VI. COURSE POLICIES

A. Letter/Numerical Grade Scale

A+ 99-100 B+ 91-93 C+ 83-85 D+ 75-77 F 0-69

A 96-98 B 88-90 C 80-82 D 72-74

A- 94-95 B- 86-87 C- 78-79 D- 70-71

B. Weighing of Course Requirements for Grading

The grade for the course will be determined according to the following percentages:
Pre-resident (completion of reading, preparation for a potential project topic) 30%
Resident (participation in exercises, library search, contributions
to discussion, etc.) 30%
Post-resident assignments 40%

C. Class Participation
Students will be required to attend all days of the seminar and participate in class discussions.

VII. COURSE LECTURES AND ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE

Students are expected to be on campus no later than 8:00 a.m. on Monday, First Day
of Class through Friday noon. Please make travel plans around these dates,
preferably Friday night or Saturday morning and do not plan on conducting regular
ministry duties during these dates.

Day and Time Topic

Monday 2:00 p.m. Introduction: What is D.Min. research?
Common research methods.
Do you have a problem?
Student Statements - 1
The research question?
What is (are) your hypothesis(es)?
How do you obtain the data to test your hypothesis(es)?
Which of the four research methods is most applicable to your problem?
Topic Approval Form, Research library guidance; literature review
searching
Tuesday morning Devotional
Your research method
Student Statements -2
What is to be your research population and how do you obtain your sample?
Biblical theology for ministry. The role of theory and the literature review;
Writing Skills
Structure of proposal and dissertation.
Using Zotero for Referencing
Writing the proposal and dissertation using the template—session 1
Tuesday afternoon Individual appointments. Complete title, problem, question, and hypotheses
Wednesday morning Devotional
Case Study
In-depth Interview
Focus group methods
Qualitative data analysis,
a
Online research review.
Title of Research Project
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Analysis Exercise
Writing the proposal and dissertation using the template-session 1

Wednesday afternoon Individual appointments. Review of Completed TAF

Thursday morning
Thursday afternoon
Friday morning
Friday afternoon
Devotional
Questionnaire and survey development
Data Analysis. Interpreting analysis results.
Transferring the TAF material to the proposal template
Writing the proposal and dissertation using the template-session 2
Individual appointments. Review of Research Proposal
Devotional
Informed Consent
Exempt Status for Prospectus.
Research Ethics
Copyright
Workflow in Research Process
Preview post-residence assignments. Residence evaluation
Writing the proposal and dissertation using the template-session 3
Individual appointments. Review of Research Proposal.

NOTE: Some of the residence period will be spent in the library or in individual consultation with the
instructors rather than in class collectively. Students will be required to keep a log of how their time was
spent and what they accomplished during these times. The goal is to provide as much individualized focus
on projects as possible.

Supplemental Reading and Bibliography

The following sources may be useful in addressing aspects of research design.

Berdie, D. R., J. F Anderson, & M. A. Niebuhr. Questionnaires: Design and Use 2nd ed.
Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1992.
Berk, Richard A., & Rossi, Peter H. Thinking about Program Evaluation. Thousand
Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications, 1999.
Borg, W. B. Applying Education Research: A Practical Guide for Teachers. New York:
Longman, 1987.
Crabtree, B. F., & W. L. Miller, W. Doing Qualitative Research. Newbury Park, CA:
Sage Publications, 2002
Davies, R. E. Handbook for Doctor of Ministry Projects. Lanham, MD: University Press
of America, 1984.
Denzin, N. K., Lincoln, Y. S. Handbook of Qualitative Research. Thousand Oaks, CA:
Sage Publications, 1994.
Gilgun, J. F., K. Daly, & G. Handel, ed. Qualitative Methods in Family Research.
Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications, 1992.
Henerson, M. E., L. L. Morris, & C. T. Fitz-Gibbon. How to Measure Attitudes.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1987.
Leedy, P. D. and Ormrod, J.E. Practical Research: Planning and Design. (10th ed.) New
York: Macmillan, 2012.
McCracken, G. D. The Long Interview. Beverly Hills: Sage Publications, 1988.
Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. Qualitative Data Analysis: An Expanded Sourcebook.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1994.
Mishler, E. G. Research Interviewing: Context and Narrative. Cambridge: Harvard
University Press, 1991.
Mitchell, M. L., & J. Jolley Research Design Explained. (8th ed.) New York: Hartcourt
Brace Jovanich, 2012.
Myers, W. R. Research in Ministry: A Primer for the Doctor of Ministry Program.
Chicago: Exploration Press, 2000.
Patton, Michael Quinn. Qualitative Evaluation and Research Methods. (3rd ed.)
Newbury Park, CA: Publisher, 2001.
Posavac, E. J. Program evaluation; Methods and Case Studies. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-
Hall, 2011.
DM102 Applied Research Project Development Seminar 8
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Silverman, D. Interpreting Qualitative Data: Methods for Analyzing Talk, Text, and
Interaction. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2006.
Spradley, J. P. The Ethnographic Interview. New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston,
1979.
Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing. Washington: APA, 1999.
Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. Basics of Qualitative Research: Grounded Theory Procedures
and Techniques. Beverly Hills: Sage Publications, 1990.
Southard, S. Religious Inquiry. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1976.
Sudman, Seymour, & Norman M. Bradburn. Asking Questions. San Francisco: Jossey-
Bass, 2004.
Taylor, S. J., & R. Bogdan. Introduction to Qualitative Methods: The Search for Meaning. New
York: John Wiley, 1984.
Yin Robert. K. Applications of Case Study Research, (5th ed.) Newberry Park, CA: Sage
Publications, 2016.
DM102 Applied Research Project Development Seminar 9
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Name:

Reading Report
(Due First Day of Class)

Creswell, John W. & Creswell, J. David. Research Design: Qualitative,

Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches
I have skimmed the above book in its entirety.

I have skimmed part of the above book.

I have not skimmed the above book.

Fowler or Yin
I have skimmed the above book in its entirety.

I have skimmed part of the above book.

I have not skimmed the above book.

Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations.
9th ed.
I have skimmed the above book in its entirety.

I have skimmed part of the above book.

I have not skimmed the above book.

DM102 Applied Research Project Development Seminar 10
Summer 2019

Time Log
Tuesday
Time Location Purpose

11:00-12:00

1:00-2:00

2:00-3:00

3:00-4:00

Wednesday
Time Location Purpose
11:00-12:00

1:00-2:00

2:00-3:00

3:00-4:00

Thursday
Time Location Purpose
11:00-12:00

1:00-2:00

2:00-3:00

3:00-4:00

Friday
Time Location Purpose
11:00-12:00

1:00-2:00

2:00-3:00

3:00-4:00

NOTE: This time log should be submitted to the instructors before leaving campus
on Friday.
Be aware that we are continually seeking to improve DM102. If there are changes in this
syllabus that will help you to accomplish your work in a more effective and productive way, we
will notify you by email.