Vyhmeister, Nancy Jean. Quality Research Papers: For Students of Religion and Theology.2nd ed. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2008. 288 pp. Paper, $16.99.
Nancy Jean Vyhmeister is the skilled and very qualified author of the reference book for theological students and other biblical writers entitled, Quality Research Papers: For Students of Religion and Theology. The author is on target with the writing and research principles presented based on over forty- five years of experience in teaching professors and pastors of today and tomorrow in the United States and internationally. In retirement, Vyhmeister continues her ministry of training theologians in ministry writing and delivery in speech. Having a foundational doctorate degree in Education from Andrews University, the author’s focus and projection in ministry was manifested as editor of the book, Women in Ministry: Biblical and History Perpectives. She has written books in English and in Spanish, including a Greek grammar for Spanish- speaking students. One such book is Manual de Investigacion Teologica, which was born of a great need at the Seminario Adventista Latinoamericano de Teologia. This book was written 1980 for South American graduate students, with an English version in 1989 for students using English as a second language at Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies in the Philippines (xi).
The first publication of Quality Research Papers: For Students of Religion and Theology by Zondervan was in 2001. This edition reflected the author’s experience in teaching theology research and writing. As an instructional handbook, the book has as its main thrust the techniques to be used in effective research and writing of well structured papers. The book begins with a comprehensive definition of research. In the introduction to the book the author states that this reference book has four purposes: (1.) to stimulate and develop students’ capacity for doing careful and fruitful research; (2.) to help students improve their ability to clearly express the results of their research; (3) to assist theology student s meet the requirements of their educational programs; and (4.) to allay students’ fear of doing research by improving their skills and tools (xii).
The book follows a concise outline which guides the reader with helpful suggestions in a step by step plan in the production of the final product. At whatever stage the student finds himself in the production of his work, there is assistance in this book. The table of contents at the beginning of the book establishes the steps to the preparation of a theological paper, research report, or other seminarial work. The process to use to prepare a necessary writing product is displayed for the reader in a methodical manner. Resources for doing research are updated throughout the book. There is a section on standard references for Greek and Hebrew languages. The internet resources for students are identified with an explanation as to how these sources are to be cited. The author compiles into an easy read, the documented writing skills of Kate Turabian’s Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations; Lucretia B. Yaghjian’s Writing Theology Well, A Rhetoric for Theological and Biblical Writers; and The Elements of Style by William Strunk and E.B. White. A selected bibliography at the end of the book indicates other works referenced to complete this work. The work contains presentation illustrations to be used in theological papers. At the end of the work, there are appendixes that have abbreviations and transliteration charts of Biblical languages.
The schematic arrangement of this book is logical and coherent. The formatting of Quality Research Papers: For Students of Religion and Theology with visual displays of the parts of completed theological papers makes this book more reader- friendly when compared to other writings of the same field. In comparison the work entitled, Writing Theology Well, A Rhetoric for Theological and Biblical Writers by Lucretia B. Yaghjian, is somewhat cumbersome or slow- moving. The presentation of historical data in Ms. Yaghjian’s work poses a distraction from the topic that is being addressed. While both works have valuable information to present, the information in Quality Research Papers has a clearer presentation. The language is readable and more appropriate for the beginner of theological writings. The book entitled, Writing Theology Well, A Rhetoric for Theological and Biblical Writers is an excellent reference to use in conjunction with Quality Research Papers.
The subject matter of this work is fresh, up to date, and innovative in a way to maintain the interest of a beginning or experienced theological writer. The book has an appeal which will address and respond in a complete way to the inquiries of the readers. To the novice with regard to theological writing, this book will offer encouragement to persevere in this field. This work provides the how to apparatus for writing, with specific chapters provided that deal with statistics, tables, and graphs; it also addresses interviews, and research surveys. The author has indicated that it is her desire to assist the reader in brining order and beauty out of that which is unclear, confused, or unknown (231). This reference is an important resource to any pastor, ministry worker, or theological writer.
Mary Blackmon Gladney
Birmingham Theological Seminary Birmingham, Alabama
