Library Research

An early phase of any research project is library research. A researcher will want to determine what information already exists about the subject under investigation. Sometimes this is called a "Survey of the Literature."

Benefits of Library Research
There are several benefits to Library Research or a "Survey of the Literature". First, certain base line information is necessary to conduct the research project. (This will be explained in detail shortly). Second, it is helpful to see how others have attempted to research this topic. Third, it reduces the likely hood of re-duplication. It is possible that someone else already has undertaken similar research. Fourth, examples of how others have reported their research will assist you in communicating the results of your work. Fifth, the researchers needs to be knowledgeable about the general subject he will investigate.

Basic Information

• History of the people and the region
• Religious History
• Church History
• Demographic Information: (This will be elaborated later)
• Sociological studies
• Area Handbooks
• Travel Guides
• Atlases and Maps
• Persons of influence, both in the Church and society at large
• Church Growth studies and case studies that are similar to the proposed research project
• Directories of Churches, Christian Organizations and Christian Workers
• Growth projections: the government planning office can be helpful here
• Spiritual Mapping and predominate sin tendencies of the culture
• Reports on criminal activity.
• Etc.

Demographic Information
Census information is useful here.
Necessary

• Population Figures
• Average Annual Population Growth Rate
• Religious Confession
• Ethnic Group
• Maternal Language

Helpful

• Educational Attainment
• Male/Female ratio
• Age Distribution
• Education
• Marriage Status
• Health Services
• Economy
• Labor force data
• Immigration/Emigration
• Criminal activity
• Etc.

Administrative Information

• Administrative regions and hierarchy (regions, states, counties, townships, municipalities, cities, villages)
• Location Names
• Administrative codes for all administrative regions
• Postal codes.

Note: Using standard administrative codes helps link the research data base with demographic and mapping data bases.

Sources of information

• Libraries
• Book stores - browsing local book stores turns up interesting finds. Check used book stores too. Some interesting finds have been acquired from street vendors
• Government Offices: statistics office, mayor's office etc,
• Internet
• Denominations - may have written histories or growth studies
• Other Christian Workers
• College Professors
• Periodicals
• Newspapers