RESEARCH GUIDE 1
Introduction to academic research
A basic guide to improving your research and critical thinking skills.
1. Introduction
This guide introduces you to the world of academic
research. It outlines basic concepts and discusses research
methodology and methods, types of sources, marks of
quality researchers, and what makes research outstanding.
It provides advice on the need to acquire skills in other
languages for research. The guide is intended as a basis for
other guides on various aspects of theological research and
writing.
Whether you are engaged in undergraduate or
postgraduate studies, this guide is for you. You may think
you have heard all this before, but there is always room for
growth and change. Browse this guide and you may find
2. The nature of academic research
The basic purpose of academic research is to seek truth and
new knowledge. This may be undertaken for its own sake,
or to counter falsehood and ignorance, or to contribute to a
cause such as constructive theology, spiritual growth,
historical understanding, or social development.
For those engaged in a research degree, such as an MTh
or PhD, your experience of study will probably be far
more individual and isolated than a typical undergraduate
educational experience. It may also have been some time
since you last accessed tertiary education. Your new
experience will require some adjustment.
A research degree requires a high degree of self-
management, information literacy, analytical skills, and
communication skills. It also gives you significant
help in solving a practical problem, inspiring a new idea,
avoiding pitfalls, and generally enhancing your learning
experience. Reading it along with other Moore College
Research Guides and Writing Guides, and advice from Moore
College faculty, should provide a good basis for successful
and fruitful academic research and writing. Guides are
available here. You will also find a range of excellent books
on study skills and research design in the Library.
If you have questions regarding academic research and
writing, critical thinking, or information literacy, or
suggestions for improving this Guide, we’d love to hear
from you – email rod.benson@moore.edu.au.
independence in your choice of topic, methodology,
research strategy, and application of critical thinking and
reasoning skills.
As a beginning undergraduate student, you may feel like a
spectator at the academic game. But as your studies
progress, you have increasing opportunities to become a
genuine participant. A research degree further prepares
you to be an active participant in an international
academic community, and in a global community of
evangelical scholars. Such an opportunity is rare, and
comes with attendant privileges and responsibilities.
Your research degree is just the start of this new
dimension to professional life. It’s up to you to make the
most of it. The skills you acquire now will last a lifetime.