KENTINITIAL MINISTERIAL EDUCATION 4-7

HANDBOOK

MA in Ordained Ministry

(Level 7)

Module Title: Ministry in Context: Research (MCR)

Credit Rating: 20 credits at Level 7

ECTS: 10 credits

Duration: 200 hours of student learning time

6 hours supervision

Academic Responsibility: Supervisor appointed by Course Director

Module Aim

This module comprises the first of two stages of the final element required for completion of the MA qualification; the second stage is Ministry in Context:Dissertation (MCD).

The aim of the module is to develop a student’s ability to research and analyze a particular ministry context in-depth in preparation to write a sustained piece of theological reflection as a contribution to the life and mission of the local church.

Students shall be introduced to a variety of appropriate research related skills linked to their professional practice within ministry. The module will provide the structures for planning, developing and evaluating research as well as an understanding of research related issues.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of research strategies to support reflection, critical analysis and synthesis of ideas;
  • Critically review evidence in support of arguments and conclusions including issues such as reliability, validity and contradictory information;
  • Identify a significant and complex area of enquiry related to a ministry context and establish a theological reflection method for investigation/exploration of key concepts, models and principles;
  • Deploy the appropriate skills and knowledge in order to formulate a research proposal that identifies the focus of research, methodology, development plan, key issues and persons;
  • Work autonomously with minimum guidance to manage information, research tasks, writing and deadlines.

Indicative Module Content

This module will provide students with research methods, skills and critical appreciation of various techniques and methods of enquiry.

These aspects will be covered through seminars that will include a variety of appropriate research related skills linked to their professional practice within ministry.

This will include:

  • development of skills related to raising analytical research questions;
  • structures for planning, developing and evaluating research;
  • understanding research related issues, particularly relating to ethics and confidentiality in empirical research;
  • identifying appropriate research methodologies for planning and executing research projects;
  • developing a Research Proposal;
  • analyzing findings and coherent presentation.

Students are introduced to a variety of appropriate research related skills linked to their professional practice within ministry. Emphasis will be placed on structures for planning, developing and evaluating research as well as an understanding of research related issues. The outcome of this part will be a 2,000 word critical review of bibliographic material related to research skills and the drawing of lines of theological reflection related to the chosen area of research.

Students shall formulate a Research Proposal of 2,000 words that forms the critical basis and parameters of the subsequent research for the MA dissertation (Ministry inContext: Dissertation). The Proposal shall identify the subject of the dissertation and shall be related to the interface between the theological tradition and the practice of Christian ministry and mission. It shall address the topic of the research, what others have written on the topic, conceptual/theoretical frameworks useful in approaching the research, method(s) likely to be useful in undertaking the research, planning and design, the research process, interpretation of research, how the findings may contribute to knowledge in this field.

The Research Proposal shall proceed under the supervision of a Supervisor appointed by the Course Director. The area of research will be proposed by the student and negotiated with the Supervisor with regards the nature, scope and suitability of the proposed project.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

An important feature of this module is to provide students with a degree of autonomy that encourages them as reflective practitioners. The module includes seminars in various aspects of research methods, and supervision sessions as students develop a Research Proposal. Supervisors are appointed by the Course Director.

Assessment

Student’s progression to Ministry in Context: Dissertation will be conditional upon:

(1). Attendance and successful completion of the set of seminars in Research

Methods, and

(2) a critical review of bibliographical material related to the chosen research area of

2,000 words (50% of the total module mark), (LO 1-3, 5) and

(3) satisfactory submission, by the required date, of the Research Proposal of 2,000 words (50% of the total module mark) (LO 4-5).

The Research Proposal submitted by the student must satisfy the sub-committee that the subject of the dissertation and the manner of its treatment proposed by the student are acceptable, that the student is capable of carrying out the research, and of successfully submitting the dissertation by the required date. In those cases where the student fails to satisfy the sub-committee of having met these requirements, the student will be refused permission to progress. This refusal will have the effect of a feedback and will permit the candidate to resubmit for examination a redrafted Research Proposal along with an oral presentation reflecting on the process of the research relating to project design and literature review. This part of the assessment will cover Learning Outcomes 1-4. If the sub-committee is not satisfied that the student is capable of carrying out the research following the resubmission and oral presentation permission to proceed to the dissertation will be refused.

Indicative Bibliography

Bell, J. (2005) Doing Your Research Project: A Guide for First-Time Researchers in Education, Health and Social Science (4th ed) Buckingham: Open University Press.

Blaxter, L. et al (2006) How to Research (3rd ed) Milton Keynes, Oxford: OUP.

Booth, W.C., Colomb, G.G. & Williams, J.M. (2008) The Craft of Research (3rded) Chicago: Chicago University Press.

Burgess, R.G. (1990) In the Field: An Introduction to Field Research New York:

Routledge.

Carey, G.V. (1979) Mind the Stop, A Brief Guide to Punctuation Harmondsworth:

Penguin.

Cohen, L., Manion, L & Morrison, K. (2007) Research Methods in Education London: Routledge.

Denscombe, M. (2007) The Good Research Guide for small scale social research projects (3rd ed) Buckingham: Open University Press.

Gaskell, P. (2002) A New Introduction to Bibliography (new ed) Oxford: Clarendon.

Hart, C. (1998) Doing a Literature Review: Releasing the Social Science Research Imagination Buckingham: Open University Press.

Mann, T. (1998) The Oxford Guide to Library Research Oxford: OUP.

Murray, R. (2006) How to Write a Thesis Buckingham: Open University Press.

Pears, R. & Shields, G. (2008) Cite them right: the essential referencing guide

London: Pear Tree Books.

Preece, R.A. (2000) Starting Research: An Introduction to Academic Research and Dissertation Writing London: Continuum.

Rudestam, K.E. & Newton, R.R. (2007) Surviving Your Dissertation: A

Comprehensive Guide to Content and Process (3rd ed) London: Sage Publications.

Seale, C. (1999) The Quality of Qualitative Research London: Sage Publications.

Sharp, J.A., Peters, J. & Howard, K. (2002) The Management of a Student Research Project (3rd ed) London: Gower.

Schostak, J. & Schostak, J. (2007) Radical Research: Designing, developing and

writing research to make a difference London: Routledge.

Silverman, David (ed.) (2004) Qualitative Research: Theory, Method and Practice (2nd ed.) London: Sage.

Strunk, W. & White, E.B. (1999) The Elements of Style (4th ed) NeedhamHeights

Mass: Allyn and Bacon.

Swetnam, Derek (2004) Writing your Dissertation: The bestselling guide to planning, preparing and presenting first-class work (rev. 3rd ed.) Oxford: How To Books.

Wisker, G. (2007) The Postgraduate Research Handbook (2nd ed) Basingstoke:

Palgrave.

Module Title: Ministry in Context: Dissertation (MCD)

Credit Rating: 40 credits at Level 7

ECTS: 20 credits

Duration: 400 hours of student learning time

8 hours supervision

Academic Responsibility: Supervisor appointed by Course Director

Module Aim

This module is the final element required for completion of the MA qualification and builds upon Ministry in Context: Research as the student aims to conduct in-depth research to produce a sustained piece of theological reflection of 8,000 words on a topic related to Christian ministry and mission.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should have acquired:

  • The skills to engage in advanced ministerial research;
  • The ability to identify and define complex theological issues;
  • A systematic knowledge and understanding of their subject area and the ability to apply this to evaluating their research outcomes;
  • The ability to present a sustained piece of theological reflection that relates to the interface between the theological tradition and the practice of Christian ministry and mission;
  • The ability to work autonomously with minimum guidance to manage information, research tasks, writing and deadlines.

Indicative Module Content

This module requires, as a pre-requisite, successful completion of Ministry in

Context: Research (MCR). Applications will be considered by a sub-committee for viability of the chosen area and for potential successful completion.

The student will undertake their study and research under a Supervisor appointed by the Course Director. The area of research will be exclusively the one submitted as the Research Proposal in MCR. The module will be exclusively student-centred. Students and supervisors will arrange regular individual tutorials during term time. It will be the responsibility of the student to negotiate additional tutorial support if and when required, but generally, students will be expected to show a large degree of autonomy in their research activities.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

The module has only a research component: the proposed dissertation in the chosen area of work of 8,000 words.

Assessment

An 8,000 word dissertation, worth 100% of the total module mark. Two copies of the dissertation are to be submitted.

Indicative Bibliography

Bell, J. (2005) Doing Your Research Project: A Guide for First-Time Researchers in Education, Health and Social Science (4th ed) Buckingham: Open University Press.

Blaxter, L. et al (2006) How to Research (3rd ed) Milton Keynes, Oxford: OUP.

Booth, W.C., Colomb, G.G. & Williams, J.M. (2008) The Craft of Research (3rded) Chicago: Chicago University Press.

Carey, G.V. (1979) Mind the Stop, A Brief Guide to Punctuation Harmondsworth:

Penguin.

Cohen, L., Manion, L & Morrison, K. (2007) Research Methods in Education London: Routledge.

Denscombe, M. (2007) The Good Research Guide for small scale social research projects (3rd ed) Buckingham: Open University Press.

Gaskell, P. (2002) A New Introduction to Bibliography (new ed) Oxford: Clarendon.

Hart, C. (1998) Doing a Literature Review: Releasing the Social Science Research Imagination Buckingham: Open University Press.

Mann, T. (1998) The Oxford Guide to Library Research Oxford: OUP.

Murray, R. (2006) How to Write a Thesis Buckingham: Open University Press.

Pears, R. & Shields, G. (2008) Cite them right: the essential referencing guide

London: Pear Tree Books.

Preece, R.A. (2000) Starting Research: An Introduction to Academic Research and Dissertation Writing London: Continuum.

Rudestam, K.E. & Newton, R.R. (2007) Surviving Your Dissertation: A

Comprehensive Guide to Content and Process (3rd ed) London: Sage Publications.

Seale, C. (1999) The Quality of Qualitative Research London: Sage Publications.

Sharp, J.A., Peters, J. & Howard, K. (2002) The Management of a Student Research Project (3rd ed) London: Gower.

Schostak, J. & Schostak, J. (2007) Radical Research: Designing, developing and

writing research to make a difference London: Routledge.

Silverman, David (ed.) (2004) Qualitative Research: Theory, Method and Practice (2nd ed.) London: Sage.

Strunk, W. & White, E.B. (1999) The Elements of Style (4th ed) NeedhamHeights

Mass: Allyn and Bacon.

Swetnam, Derek (2004) Writing your Dissertation: The bestselling guide to planning, preparing and presenting first-class work (rev. 3rd ed.) Oxford: How To Books.

Wisker, G. (2007) The Postgraduate Research Handbook (2nd ed) Basingstoke: Palgrave.

Appendix 1: Ministry in Context: Research (MCR) and Ministry in

Context: Dissertation (MCD)

On successful completion of the required assignments at Level 7, and the 20 credit module Ministry in Context: Research (MCR), students may progress to the 40 credit dissertation titled Ministry in Context: Dissertation (MCD). These two modules will usually be undertaken in years 4/5. In exceptional cases MCR and MCD may be undertaken in years 3/4. For example,

a curate might know that in their post-curacy appointment they want to be involved in theological education, or perhaps go abroad.

(a). Ministry in Context: Research (MCR)

The MCR module is designed to develop a student’s ability to research and analyze a particular ministry context in-depth in preparation to write a sustained piece of theological reflection (MCD) as a contribution to the life and mission of the local church. In MCR students are introduced to a variety of appropriate research related skills linked to their professional practice within ministry.

MCR includes seminars on research methods that introduce students to a critical understanding of research strategies to support reflection, critical analysis and synthesis of ideas. The student will submit a critical review of bibliographical material related to the chosen research area of 2,000 words that draws lines of theological reflection related to the chosen area of research. The student then formulates a research proposal of 2,000 words that forms the critical basis and parameters of the subsequent research for MCD. The research proposal will be related to the interface between the theological tradition and the practice of Christian ministry and mission, on a topic the student chooses, and with which the Department agrees and is able to supervise.

The Research Proposal process is as follows:

1. Informal discussion with the Course Director (June-September)

2. Registration as a MA student with CCCU (October)

3. Research Seminar and Presentation of Research poster at KIME Residential (October)

4. Informal discussion with potential supervisor (October)

5. Work towards Critical Review and Dissertation Research Proposal in consultation with supervisor

(Dissertation Research Proposal form in Handbook, appendix 8)

6. Critical Review and Dissertation Research Proposal handed in before the end of the year (December)

7. Dissertation Research Proposal submitted will be assessed by a subcommittee and marked ‘Pass’, or ‘Pass when…’, or ‘Fail’.

8. The Dissertation Research Proposal shall be marked according to satisfactory address of the following:

  • clarity of topic and title
  • relation to the interface between theological tradition and the practice of Christian ministry and mission
  • broad awareness of other writings in the field
  • description of conceptual/theoretical frameworks useful to the research
  • methodology/ies to be utilized
  • research design and organization
  • research interpretation
  • the establishment of a critical basis and parameters of subsequent research for the dissertation
  • research plan
  • key texts and general bibliography

9. 31 August is the hand in date for the dissertation (MCD)

With respect to assessment, completion of all three elements is required for progress to the dissertation (MCD):

(i) Compulsory attendance and successful completion of the set of seminars in Research Methods,

(ii) A critical review of bibliographical material related to the chosen research area of 2,000 words (50% of mark),

(iii) Satisfactory submission, by the required date, of the Research

Proposal of 2,000 words (50% of mark).

The Research Proposal submitted by the student must satisfy the sub-committee that the subject of the dissertation and the manner of its treatment proposed by the student are acceptable, that the student is capable of carrying out the research, and of successfully submitting the dissertation by the required date. In those cases where the student fails to satisfy the sub-committee of having met these requirements, the student will be refused permission to progress. This refusal will have the effect of a feedback and will permit the candidate to resubmit for examination a redrafted Research Proposal along with an oral presentation reflecting on the process of the research relating to project design and literature review. If the sub-committee is not satisfied that the student is capable of carrying out the research following the resubmission and oral presentation permission to proceed to the dissertation (MCD) will be refused.

The Ministry in Context: Research (MCR) module is worth 20 credits at Level 7.

(b). Ministry in Context: Dissertation (MCD)

The MCD module requires, as a pre-requisite, successful completion of Ministry in Context: Research (MCR). Applications will be considered by a sub-committee for viability of the chosen area and for potential successful completion.

MCD will involve a sustained piece of theological reflection on a topic related to Christian ministry and mission. Successful completion of this module will lead to an MA qualification.

For those doing the MA the MCD module is the final piece of work the curate completes before he or she enters into parochial ministry either as an Incumbent, bearing the leadership responsibilities for a parish or benefice, or as an Associate Minister, sharing with the Incumbent pastoral and leadership roles in a congregation(s).

The purpose of the MCD is to offer opportunity for the curate to research a particular issue and offer sustained theological reflection on it that indicates

  • integration of their academic learning’s gained particularly through the IME1-3 period of their training (theological college or ministry course) and personal and ministry formation developed particularly through the IME4-7 period of their training (curacy),
  • and helps prepare them for upcoming parochial responsibilities wherein they will be required to reflect theologically whilst they are engaged in the complexities of interpersonal relations, congregational dynamics, liturgical settings, pastoral care, Christian mission and interaction with other agencies and organizations.

In the dissertation students will be expected to show the ability to define clearly a sharply focused theological issue related to the context of the chosen topic.

Research methods may vary considerably and students will work with a qualified research supervisor appointed by the Course Director to evolve the appropriate methodology to the topic chosen. The investigation should include systematic data collection and be accompanied by an awareness of the implications of the research.

Students are to adhere to the University’s policy document, Ethics Policy for

Research Involving Human Participants (May 2006):

Policy 06.pdf;

And particularly note that “principal researchers must complete a Research EthicsReview Checklist for all projects that involve human participants. A copy of thisChecklist and detailed notes on its use are available in Ethical Procedures for theConduct of Research involving Human Participants (CCCU, 2006).”

The Ministry in Context: Dissertation (MCD) module is worth 40 credits at Level 7 and is the final piece of work for completion of the MA qualification.