Research Methods for Christian Leadership IV – CLED 830

CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 09/05/2023

Course Description

This course is the fourth in a series of six research methods seminars. This course is designed to develop research proficiency necessary for the creation of the second chapter of the research prospectus. Students will complete the development of a literature review and begin design of research study. In this seminar, students continue work on the prospectus and submit a working draft of chapter 2, “Literature Review.”

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

The Christian Leadership Doctoral Programs require the research and writing of an original dissertation. A critical aspect and foundation for that task is the literature review. This course focuses on the process of conducting a literature review and then developing an appropriate literature review chapter for the dissertation. Creating a literature review is a complex process. Therefore, this course serves to create a road map to navigate this often-unfamiliar territory for the doctoral student.

Course Assignment

Textbook and other assigned readings, and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in Module 1: Week 1.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will engage in 4 collaborative Discussions through the course. The student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each Discussion. Each thread must be 400 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 200 words. (CLO: A)

Literature Map Assignment

A literature map is helpful to visualize how an author has put together their review and notice the important interrelationships between literature streams. This may prove to be a beneficial step in organizing and writing the student's own literature review. (CLO: A)

Literature Review Assignments (4)

The following assignments allow a student to research, organize, and write a draft literature review for Chapter 2 of his/her prospectus. 

Literature Review: Part 1 – Preliminary Outline Assignment

This assignment is intended to provide the student with clarification and organization as he/she progress toward the draft of his/her literature review he/she will write through the remainder of this course. The assignment also provides opportunity to receive instructor feedback in the process of preparing to write the literature review.  (CLO: B)

Alternative: Students that tend to be more visual can choose to do a literature map of their literature review instead of a linear outline described above. (CLO: B)

Literature Review: Part 2 – Theological Framework Assignment

As a student of Liberty University’s Rawlings School of Divinity, the student is to research and write within a biblical and theological framework. The student's literature review in Chapter 2 of his/her dissertation is to display such a biblical and theological perspective. The Christian researcher understands that all truth stems from our Lord. Therefore, it is appropriate to articulate a strong biblical and theological foundation in the student's literature review. (CLO: B)

Literature Review: Part 3 – Theoretical Framework Assignment

A strong literature review for a dissertation should include the theoretical foundation(s) for the research topic. The theoretical framework for a literature review provides a foundation from which to understand the topic. (CLO: B) 

Literature Review: Part 4 – Related Literature & Rationale Assignment 

A strong literature review for a dissertation should include the theoretical foundation(s) for the research topic. The theoretical framework for a literature review provides a foundation from which to understand the topic. (CLO: B)

Research Profile Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to create a research profile to use as a discussion tool for interaction with the research mentor and reader in order to create understanding and summarize the student's research study design.  (CLO: C)