Research Methodology and Bible

¶ … knowledge is so vast that no one really knows everything. One often discovers that what they know about something is not accurate or utterly wrong (Taflinger, 2011).

Research is normally conducted for two main reasons, i.e., to learn the facts around a phenomenon or to collect evidence. When one conducts research to learn about something, it is for their personal gain. The learning process is a continuous one in life. One cannot stop learning. Whatever new information you encounter constitutes some form of learning. It may be the data about your favourite rugby player or the relativity theory. Research, on its part, is a systematic form of learning. It is organized. Research entails a special focus on something to add to your knowledge base. One may peruse through the Scientific American for the latest research news on quantum mechanics or check the sports page for the results of last night's game. All these are research activities (Taflinger, 2011).

One's background knowledge; what has been learnt, is the basis for communication with others around them. People broach what they know in conversations. It is unlikely that one would pursue a conversation about a topic that they know nothing about. However, you will still find some people joining in such conversations anyway. Formal communication involves sharing with others information that has evidence as its basis. If your audience knows a lot more than you do, there is need for research (Taflinger, 2011).

The definition of the term research differs from one field to another. My journey through college keeps filling my knowledge about what I need to be a researcher within my specific area of interest. For instance, engineers with a focus on using scientific ideas to develop machines, designs or processes, conduct their research by use of mathematical models, simulations and a range of other tests to gauge how effectively their designs are. The definition of research depends, thus on the field of research. Sociologists on their part conduct research by use of surveys, observations, interviews and statistical data analysis to improve their knowledge about people and their cultures. In graphic design, research is conducted by locating reference images for artwork and for running background searches on companies and clients in order to serve them best. Historians, on their part, conduct research by going through materials in archives such as journals, texts, newspapers and letters, and by oral interviews (Driscoll, 2011).

Research transcends what is already documented in libraries and other information resource sources. Finding information from such sources is referred to as secondary research. Indeed, it is research that ends up with such data in libraries and similar places. This paper focuses on primary research. Primary research entails seeking new knowledge that is still unknown. Such research is not found in a library or other formal information reservoir. Primary research applies principles of the scientific method. This theory was formulated in the 19th C. by one John Stuart Mill. The application of the content of his book 'The Philosophy of the Scientific Method' varies from field to field. However, the general values are universal. These principles facilitate the process of learning new observable phenomena. It is through the scientific approach that researchers develop hypothesis and research questions and consequently gather data for analysis purpose. Such data collection is measurable and replicable in different locations and times. The intention of primary research is to learn new knowledge on phenomena. Such outcome should be one that can be replicated and confirmed by others. It is also meant to eliminate biases in the process of investigation (Driscoll, 2011).

Research Methods and Approaches

To achieve the survey objective, the research team has aligned towards specific methods, i.e. Statistical analysis: The research process commences with desk research in detail on the status of the female folk over major transitions in the country. Data from the National Statistical Institute has been examined on the basis of rate of activity, unemployment rate and employment rate on the basis of gender and in a range of dimensions (Research Methodology, n.d.).

How do you evaluate or critique this from a biblical, Christian perspective?

It is easy to justify research that is scientific and focused on medicine, agriculture and the environment because the world is filled with problems of poverty, disease, pollution and strife. However, it is a different ball game when it comes to theological research. Yet, much as it is not obvious, the world needs God much more than it needs technology. There is need to rediscover God and His will. According to Christian belief, god has manifested himself through Christ. We have access to such revelation through the Bible. If that fact is tenable, then there is need to study the Bible in its entire dimension with an aim to apply it in daily life.

Well-researched teaching necessary for Christian growth

Christian intellectuals, including professors, have the capacity to include a theological perspective into the field of research as is conventionally configured. There is a lot that such a group can contribute especially in the affective research dimension. If a student in a Christian college or university is exposed to research procedure from a Christian perspective, they are more likely to experience and bring about transformation. A professor is best placed to influence the student researcher to experience the affective aspect to research in a productive way. Such an affective perspective is related to Paul's teaching on the subject of the fruit of the spirit. It is noted that the teaching of the Bible on the fruit of the spirit examines the connection between virtues born of the spirit and how the process is understood by researchers. When they explore the fruit of the spirit as opposed to perusing the Bible, they will have made a choice. Additional spiritual lessons include the love of God and one's neighbor as taught by Christ Himself. Jesus held such teaching as the foundation of the law and prophets (Mathew 22:37-40). Others include the call on believers to seek the truth and divorce falsehood, the parable of the talents (Mathew 25:14-30; Luke 19"11-27), Or Paul's plea to only target things that are honorable and true (Philippians 4:8-9). These are all dimensions that would enrich such contribution (Badley & Scott, 2011).