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My Development as a Researcher
I have always--since I was very young--been interested in how organizations work. As a junior in high school, I wrote a major research paper comparing the operations of three steakhouse chains—just because I wanted to know what the differences were. As a novice youth pastor, I developed a strategic plan for the youth group—just because it made sense to me to do so. At the time the youth leadership and I developed the strategic plan, not everyone in the church believed we should be doing it. Two years later, when the youth had accomplished all of the five-year goals, others became believers.
While I was serving as an Associate Pastor in Warren (OH), a generous contributor saw that I could benefit from a microcomputer. This was in late 1981, when computers were in their infancy. I found that Apple IIe to be incredibly useful. When it was time to write my MBA thesis, I chose to examine the use of microcomputers in business—just because I wanted to know more about the adoption of computers into business and society.
When I began my doctoral studies, I became interested in the subject of management control systems, especially as they are used in nonprofit organizations. Specifically, I became interested in determining how nonprofit organizations manage professional workers—a subject that I am still interested in, and one that is quite relevant to educational administration.
Since that time, I have found myself pursuing several lines of research. One area is that of church management, which is an area in which much remains to be done. Another area is that of outcomes assessment in higher education. But the area which I have found most fascinating is that of leadership—particularly the leadership of educational institutions. I have found capable and willing co-researchers: Dr. Steven Bovee (Roberts Wesleyan College), Dr. Brett Andrews (Oklahoma Wesleyan University) and Dr. Joe Walenciak (John Brown University). We have collaborated using get-togethers at professional meetings, along with e-mail and phone conversations.
Along the way, I have learned how to be a good researcher. Methodology, especially questionnaire design, is critical. Solid statistical skills are necessary. Most important, it helps to be an excellent writer—a skill that seems to be less in evidence each year, judging by the papers that I review for journals and academic meetings. As a result of demonstrating solid research skills, our success rate for meetings and journals has been excellent; very seldom do we receive a rejection. I have now been the recipient of two best paper awards and have been a winner in the Free Market Forum’s essay contest, and continue to write and publish.
As a dean, I have had some people suggest that I should no longer be involved in research. When I became president and chief executive officer of one of the business accrediting association, others argued that research was a waste of time. But I am still interested in learning new things—which requires research. While research takes a lot of work, it is worth it
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