Doing Research in Practical Theology provides a step-by-step introduction to setting up and executing high-quality practical theological research. This "how-to" handbook provides an accessible resource for students in Practical Theology who are in the process of developing and carrying out a research project. The structure systematically follows a number of core questions to be answered in any practical theological study, allowing the reader to reflect on eight basic steps that will help in their research in practical theology.
With a pragmatic approach and examples from recently published case studies, this book appeals to researchers in Practical Theology, particularly master’s and PhD students and their supervisors. At the end of each chapter, questions for reflection are presented. These are useful both for executive researchers (whether master’s students or senior researchers) and for those who supervise research (either as master’s thesis supervisor or promotor of a PhD study).
The Open Access version of this book, available at http://www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons [Attribution-No Derivatives (CC BY-ND) 4.0 license.
Part 1: Acquiring an Overview
1. Introduction: a “How to” Approach to Practical Theology
2. The discipline of practical theology
3. Research design in practical theology: a step-by-step overview
Part 2: Getting Focus
4. Step 1: Why? The reason for the research project
5. Step 2: What’s the problem? Defining what we do not know yet
6. Step 3: What do you ask for? Posing questions
7. Step 4: What is it contributing to? Showing theoretical and practical relevance
Part 3: Getting Insight
8. Step 5: How to construct? Setting up a research design
9. Step 6: What do you do? Executing the different phases of the research design
10. Step 7: What do you see? Reporting the findings of the research project
11. Step 8: What do we learn? Drawing and discussing conclusions
12. Conclusion
Biography
Jos de Kock is Full Professor and Department Chair of Practical Theology at the Evangelische Theologische Faculteit (ETF), Leuven (Belgium). He also serves ETF Leuven as Rector and Administrative Director. Jos de Kock is Research Fellow at the Faculty of Theology, Department of Practical Theology & Missiology, Stellenbosch University (South Africa).
Mirella Klomp is Full Professor and Chair of the Chair Group of Practical Theology (Worship & Formation) at the Protestant Theological University (PThU), Utrecht (the Netherlands). She is also Research Fellow at the Faculty of Theology, Department of Practical Theology & Missiology, Stellenbosch University (South Africa).
"In this ‘how-to’ guide addressed to emerging Practical Theologians, Mirella Klomp and Jos De Kock provide an extremely helpful and accessible resource for students in Practical Theology who are in the process of developing and carrying out a research project. Using case studies and engaging the reader to reflect on their process and choices at the end of each chapter, make this guide a useful companion both for students in the field and academics needing to prescribe a book that assists students in mapping their research projects."
Nadine Bowers-Du Toit, Stellenbosch University
"This handbook offers a concise, clear, and highly practical introduction to the broad field of practical theology. Structured as a step-by-step research guide, it outlines eight consecutive stages of the research process, illustrated with numerous concrete examples drawn from published studies.
More than just a guide to shaping your own research project, this book equips you to provide constructive feedback to fellow students and colleagues, and to ask insightful questions when supervising or reviewing practical theological research.
Whether you're a newcomer to the field or a seasoned practical theologian, I strongly recommend using this book to support and enrich your research endeavors."
Henk de Roest, Protestant Theological University, Utrecht
