Here is a sample blueprint for an applied research thesis: Title: @Developing a Discipleship Program for Young Adults at XYZ Church@ Problem Statement: @XYZ Church desires to develop a discipleship program for young adults ages 18-30 but currently lacks such a program. The purpose of this applied research is to design and implement a discipleship program for young adults at XYZ Church.@ Research Questions: @1. What are the key elements that should be included in an effective discipleship program for young adults? 2. What delivery methods (small groups, lectures, etc.) would be most effective for discipling young adults? 3. How can XYZ Church recruit young adults

1. APPLIED RESEARCH THESIS GUIDE
MA Thesis Applied Research
RESOURCES
These resources will provide you with the basis for critical analysis and reflection of ideas and
points of view necessary in knowing and understanding the design of the applied research
thesis (MA programs). In addition to the following readings, you will need to pursue additional
readings in the topic you will explore in your applied research.
Hart, Chris. 1998. Doing a Literature Review. Sage Publications. ISBN10: 0761959750.
Hewson, Claire, Peter Yule, Dianna Laurent, and Carl Vogel. 2003. Internet Research Methods.
Sage Publications. ISBN: 0761959203.
Madsen, David. Successful Dissertations and Theses. 2nd ed. Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1992.
ISBN: 1555423892.
Mann, Thomas. 2005. The Oxford Guide to Library Research. Revised and updated ed. 3rd ed.
Oxford University Press. ISBN13: 978-0195189988.
Turabian, Kate L. 2007. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations. 7th ed.
University of Chicago Press. ISBN13: 9780226823379.
Venolia, Janet G. 2001. Write Right! A Desktop Digest of Punctuation, Grammar, and Style. 4th
ed. Ten Speed Press. ISBN: 1580083285.
Vyhmeister, Nancy Jean. 2008. Quality Research Papers. Zondervan. ISBN13:
9780310274407.
RESOURCES INCLUDED AS ATTACHMENTS TO THIS GUIDE
• How to Outline (Appendix A)
• Special Preliminary Pages (Appendix B)
• Applied Research Thesis Blueprint (Appendix C)
• Applied Research Thesis Checklist (Appendix D)
RESOURCES AVAILABLE THROUGH THE TRINITY ONLINE LEARNING CENTER
• Chicago Style Quick Citation Guide
• Turabian Style
• Research Ethics Risk Assessment Guide
• Research Ethics Checklist
• Student Handbook
TRINITY ONLINE LEARNING CENTER
The Trinity Online Learning Center (TOLC) at http://lessons.trinitysem.edu provides students
with access to resources such as: online classrooms and resources, online submission of
completed assignments, downloadable forms and documents, etc. News and information about
academic policies and procedures can also be found on the home page of the TOLC.
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2. APPLIED RESEARCH THESIS GUIDE
HAROLD F. HUNTER THEOLOGICAL LIBRARY
The Harold F. Hunter Theological Library (HTL) is an electronic library accessed through the
Trinity Online Learning Center. The Hunter Theological Library is the student gateway to online
databases, tutorials, and valuable resources in the completion of course assignments and
degree requirements. Trinity’s Information Specialist (Librarian) can be contacted at
librarian@trinitysem.edu.
RESEARCH EXPECTATIONS
The final demonstration of a student’s competencies in master level studies is the development
of formal research. The following parameters apply to the research design:
1. Number of thesis evaluation committee members: Two—First and Second Reader with
option for a Third Reader.
2. Number of pages: 12,500 words (50 pages) minimum to 17,500 words (70 pages)
maximum.
3. Chapter 1—Introduction: approximately 5-10 pages in length
4. Chapter 2—Analysis of the Literature: approximately 30-40 pages in length
5. Chapter 3—Conclusion: approximately 5-10 pages in length
6. Direct quotations, including Scripture, account for no more than 20% of the total content.
7. An appropriate Bibliography with correctly formatted citations appears at the end of the
research: 40 sources minimum.
8. Either footnotes or parenthetical references are used throughout (not endnotes) and are
formatted correctly according to Turabian’s A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses,
and Dissertations.
9. Chapter contents conform to the documentation structure of the Applied Research Thesis
Checklist.
10. Chapters are properly formatted according to all matters of style.
11. Consistent use of verb tenses is used. Past tense (e.g., Smith showed) or present perfect
tense (e.g., researchers have shown) is appropriate for the literature review and the
description of the procedure if the discussion is of past events.
12. Chapters are completed in consecutive order.
13. The Research Ethics Checklist must be completed by every student and submitted with the
applied project or dissertation proposal regardless of the research design of the study,
especially before data is gathered using human subjects. This form and a Research Ethics
Risk Assessment Guide are available on the home page of the Trinity Online Learning
Center.
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3. APPLIED RESEARCH THESIS GUIDE
14. Research submission guidelines can be found in the Student Handbook and the RW 626
Applied Research Thesis study guide. These guidelines should be followed carefully to
ensure research documents are processed correctly and to not hinder degree completion
progress.
15. The Applied Research Thesis must conform to all matters of document formatting and
reflect all actions required by the evaluation committee—the final copy must be received by
Trinity to be eligible for graduation.
DOCUMENT FORMATTING AND SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Assignments and applied research must be formatted according to the current edition of Kate
Turabian’s A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations.
• Use correct spelling and grammar
• Some pages require a specific form or format—use as directed
• Use Times New Roman 12 point font or its equivalent
• Clip research pages together with a binder clip
• Do not use report covers or notebooks
• Include all special preliminary pages formatted according to examples provided in this
document—i.e., the title page, copyright page, abstract, etc.
USE OF INCLUSIVE LANAGUAGE
Students are expected to use non-sexist inclusive language as appropriate in the completion of
course assignments and participation in classroom discussions. The use of male gender terms
to describe individuals, groups, or titles, roles that can include the female gender should be
rewritten to more accurately reflect that both genders are being addressed. In cases where only
one gender is clearly intended, language should be used that reflects that gender.
To avoid awkwardness in wording, please avoid the use of “he/she,” “him/her” to reflect both
genders. Instead, reframe a sentence in the plural when both genders are implied (e.g.,
“students…their” as opposed to “student…he”). Also use more specific titles or roles when both
genders are implied (e.g., “chairman” becomes “chair;” “businessman” becomes “business
manager” or “business executive;” “participants and their wives” becomes “participants and their
spouses;” “to all men” becomes “to all people;” and so on). In all cases, think, talk, and write in
terms of being respectful to both genders.
Scripture passages should always be quoted as they were written, but writing about the content
of Scripture passages applying to both males and females should reflect the use of inclusive
language.
Trinity does not use inclusive language with references to God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son,
or the Holy Spirit, and observes the use of the male gender as appears in the traditions of the
early church.
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4. APPLIED RESEARCH THESIS GUIDE
REFERENCE LIST
The following resources are recommended for further study.
ABSTRACTS, INDEXES, AND DATABASES
ATLA Religion Database available through the Trinity Online Learning Center.
Business Periodicals Index. New York: H. W. Wilson. Also available online at
http://hwwilsonweb.com.
Dissertation Abstracts. New York: SilverPlatter Information. Also available online at
http://wwwlib.umi.com/dissertations/search.
Education Index. New York: H. W. Wilson. Also available online at http://hwwilsonweb.com.
Humanities Index. New York: H. W. Wilson. Also available online at http://hwwilsonweb.com.
Index to U.S. Government Periodicals. Chicago: Infordot Informational, 1972 to date.
Psychological Abstracts. Lancaster, PA: American Psychological Association. Also available
online at http://www.apa.org/psycinfo.
Religion Index One: Periodicals. Chicago: American Theological Library Association. Also
available online at http://purl.org/atlaonline.
Religion Index Two: Multi-Author Works. Chicago: American Theological Library Association.
Also available online at http://purl.org/atlaonline.
Sociological Abstracts. New York: Sociological Abstracts. Also available online from multiple
sources.
BIBLIOGRAPHIC DESIGNS
Barzun, Jacques, and Henry G. Graff. 2004. The Modern Researcher. 6th ed.
Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
Berkhofer, R. R., Jr. 1969. A Behavioral Approach to Historical Analysis. Free Press.
Booth, Wayne C., Gregory C. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams. 2003. The Craft of Research.
2nd ed. University of Chicago Press.
Hart, Chris. 1998. Doing a Literature Review. SAGE Publications.
Kirkham, Sandi. 1989. How to Find Information in the Humanities. Library Association.
Madsen, David. 1992. Successful Dissertations and Theses. 2nd ed. Jossey-Bass Publishers.
Mann, Thomas. 1998. The Oxford Guide to Library Research. Rev. and updated ed. Oxford
University Press.
LIBRARY TOOLS
Gates, J. K. 1989. Guide to the Use of Libraries and Information Sources. 6th ed. McGraw-Hill.
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5. APPLIED RESEARCH THESIS GUIDE
Kepple, Robert J., and John R. Muether. 1992. Reference Works for Theological Research. 3rd
ed. University of Press of America.
Levinson, David, and Melvin Ember, eds. 1996. Encyclopedia of Cultural Anthropology. Henry
Holt.
O’Brien, Nancy P. 2000. Education: A Guide to Reference and Information Sources. 2nd ed.
Libraries Unlimited. Also available online at http://www.netlibrary.com.
Oxford English Dictionary. 1989. 2nd ed. Clarendon Press.
Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature. H. W. Wilson. Also available online at
http://hwwilsonweb.com.
Searing, Susan E. 1985. Introduction to Library Research in Women’s Studies. Westview Press.
WRITING TOOLS
Cook, C. K. 1985. Line by Line: How to Edit Your Own Writing. Houghton Mifflin.
Leggett, G., D. D. Mead, and W. Charvat. 1988. Prentice-Hall Handbook for Writers. 10th ed.
Prentice-Hall.
McCrimmon, J. 1988. Writing with a Purpose. 9th ed. Houghton Mifflin.
Strunk, William, Jr., E.B. White, and Roger Angell. 2000. The Elements of Style. 4th ed. Allyn
and Bacon.
The Chicago Manual of Style. 2003. 15th ed. University of Chicago Press.
The SBL Handbook of Style. 1999. Hendrickson.
Turabian, Kate L. 2007. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations. 7th ed.
University of Chicago Press.
Venolia, Janet G. 2001. Write Right! A Desktop Digest of Punctuation, Grammar, and Style. 4th
ed. Ten Speed Press.
Vyhmeister, Nancy Jean. 2008. Quality Research Papers. Zondervan. ISBN13:
9780310274407.
Williams, Joseph M. 1995. Style: Toward Clarity and Grace. University of Chicago Press.
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6. APPLIED RESEARCH THESIS GUIDE
COURSEWARE AND COPYRIGHT
COURSEWARE USAGE
No part of this guide, including handouts, web pages, audio or video media, or presentation
software files, may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of
Trinity, except when used for instructional purposes during which Trinity and the professor is
acknowledged as the source of the material.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Copyright © Trinity College of the Bible and Trinity Theological Seminary
4233 Medwel Drive
Newburgh, IN 47630-2528
(812) 853-0611
GUIDE DESIGNER
Dr. Mark Simpson
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7. APPLIED RESEARCH THESIS GUIDE
APPENDIX A: THE IMPORTANCE OF A SENTENCE OUTLINE
Working from a sentence outline helps you structure the logic of your research. It
identifies main ideas, defines subordinate ideas, disciplines your writing, maintains the
continuity and pacing, and discourages tangential excursions and points out omissions.
A structured sentence outline uses indention and numbers to indicate various levels of
subordination. Thus, it is a kind of graphic scheme of the logic of your paper. The main
points form the major headings (chapter titles), and the supporting ideas for each point
form the subheadings (and hence levels of heading).
I. A major idea is stated as a sentence.
A. A supporting idea is stated as a sentence.
1. A sentence description of an example or illustration supporting the idea.
2. A sentence description of an example or illustration supporting the idea.
a. A sentence detail of the example or illustration.
b. A sentence detail of the example or illustration.
B. A supporting idea is stated as a sentence.
1. A sentence description of an example or illustration supporting the idea.
2. A sentence description of an example or illustration supporting the idea.
II. A major idea is stated as a sentence.
A. A supporting idea is stated as a sentence.
1. A sentence description of an example or illustration supporting the idea.
a. A sentence detail of the example or illustration.
b. A sentence detail of the example or illustration.
2. A sentence description of an example or illustration supporting the idea.
a. A sentence detail of the example or illustration.
b. A sentence detail of the example or illustration.
B. A supporting idea is stated as a sentence.
1. A sentence description of an example or illustration supporting the idea.
2. A sentence description of an example or illustration supporting the idea.
a. A sentence detail of the example or illustration.
b. A sentence detail of the example or illustration.
A system of levels of headings can be used to correspond to the levels of subordination
in an outline, i.e. “A” and “B” can be given a first level heading, “1” and “2” can be given
a second level heading, and so on. Organizing your work in levels of subordination that
are identified with appropriate levels of headings will make it easier for you to write your
paper and will make it easier for your reader to understand your points.
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8. APPLIED RESEARCH THESIS GUIDE
APPENDIX B: SPECIAL PRELIMINARY PAGES
The following special page formatting should be used in the preliminary pages of the
formal research document:
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Abstract
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9. APPLIED RESEARCH THESIS GUIDE
(note the equidistant spacing between sections)
TITLE OF APPLIED RESEARCH INVERTED
PYRAMID STYLE ALL CAPS
A MASTER THESIS
Submitted to the Faculty
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of
TITLE OF DEGREE
at Trinity College of the Bible and Trinity Theological Seminary
By
Student’s Full Name
Newburgh, Indiana
Official Graduation Month Year
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The Official Graduation
Month is February, May,
August, or November, not
the month of the defense

10. APPLIED RESEARCH THESIS GUIDE
© Copyright 2010 Student’s Full Name
All Rights Reserved. Trinity College of the Bible and Trinity Theological Seminary has
permission to reproduce and disseminate this document in any form by any means for purposes
chosen by the Seminary, including, without limitation, preservation and instruction.
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11. APPLIED RESEARCH THESIS GUIDE
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12. APPLIED RESEARCH THESIS GUIDE
ABSTRACT
TITLE OF APPLIED RESEARCH INVERTED
PYRAMID STYLE ALL CAPS
Student’s Full Name
Trinity College of the Bible and Trinity Theological Seminary
Keywords: (list keywords separated by commas that might be used in a search engine to find
your research)
Abstract begins here double spaced; two pages maximum.
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13. APPLIED RESEARCH THESIS GUIDE
APPENDIX C: APPLIED RESEARCH THESIS BLUEPRINT
Researcher: @
INSTRUCTIONS
Please complete each item as described, using this form. To begin an entry, place your cursor
on either side of an @ symbol, and delete or backspace as necessary to remove the symbol
and begin your response.
APPLIED RESEARCH SYNOPSIS
The following headings outline the content of Chapter 1: Introduction.
FOUNDATIONS OF THE THESIS (1-2 pages on the history or background of the broader
subject being researched)
@
THESIS STATEMENT (1 sentence statement on the specific area of the proposed research—
the controlling idea of the entire research being explored)
@
TERMINOLOGY (Key terms [without the definitions] to be defined; add or delete lines as
needed)
@
@
@
RESEARCH OVERVIEW (outline the major subject headings of the flow of the content in
Chapter 2: Analysis of the Literature; Chapter 3: Conclusions is already outlined for you)
• Chapter 2: Analysis of the Literature
@
• Chapter 3: Conclusions
Implications of Findings
Applications of Findings
Further Study
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Please attach a properly formatted Bibliography of at least 20 significant sources that you will
explore in conducting the study. You will need to research additional sources in the actual study.
END BLUEPRINT
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14. APPLIED RESEARCH THESIS GUIDE
APPENDIX D: APPLIED RESEARCH THESIS CHECKLIST
The thesis design should include the following chapters and content headings.
PRELIMINARY PAGES
 Title Page (required, counted, not numbered—the title should be 15 words or less—
date is the month and year of graduation on the final copy)
 Copyright Page (required, counted, not numbered)
 Abstract (required, counted, numbered—synopsis of the research topic and findings)
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
 Foundations of the Thesis (identification of the theological and discipline concerns of
the subject area being researched building up to the thesis statement)
 Thesis Statement (a single sentence statement of what the study will examine)
 Terminology (definitions of key terms or terms used in unique or specific forms—to
format, use normal paragraph indentation; place the term in italics followed by a
period, and then the definition in normal font and double-spaced; organize terms in
alphabetical order)
 Research Overview (a brief outline of the content in the following chapters)
CHAPTER 2: ANALYSIS OF THE LITERATURE
The chapter’s content will be dependent upon the logical flow of thought in exploring the
research thesis. In all cases, the researcher must be sure:
 Content headings throughout the chapter are appropriate (no more than 2 pages
without a heading)
 Theological presuppositions (primary and secondary sources of theological issues,
beliefs, and concerns relevant to the study) should be addressed as early in the
chapter as possible so that theology, viewed objectively and critiqued with scholarly
resources, governs the appropriation and appropriateness of discipline assumptions,
not vice versa—do not use Theological Presuppositions as a heading
 Discipline assumptions (primary and secondary sources of discipline theories and
practices relevant to the study) should be analyzed and critiqued objectively, rather
than subjectively or from a position of bias or personal opinion—do not use
Discipline Assumptions as a heading
CHAPTER 3: CONCLUSIONS
 Thesis Statement (restated verbatim from Chapter 1)
 Implications of Findings (impact issues of findings to beliefs, theories, practices, etc.)
 Applications of Findings (subjective proposed outcomes to the discipline and
ministry as a result of the findings)
 Further Study (additional research areas that could or need to be explored as a
result of the current study)
REFERENTIAL PAGES
 Bibliography (required, counted, numbered—only referenced resources in the study)
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