Jeff Adams

Many thanks to all of you who jumped in with a word or two about your favorite teacher. Let me continue this theme with one more post. This is about my favorite teacher. Actually, I can think of several teachers who have been a positive influence on my life, but there is one that stands out – Dr. Pamela Peterson. She was my faculty adviser for Research and Inquiry Method at Trinity Theological Seminary where I did my Ph.D. If I remember correctly, Dr. Peterson was also on the faculty of the University of Arkansas at the time, while serving as adjunct faculty at Trinity Theological Seminary.

Anyone who has taken Research and Inquiry Methods knows that this can be a rather intimidating course, and it is almost always required before embarking on any major writing project at the Masters or Doctoral level. Dr. Peterson’s communication skills were excellent, and she always looked for ways to go beyond what was expected. As the course unfolded I became increasingly aware and somewhat terrified that the Ph.D. is a different kind of animal. All sorts of thoughts raced through my head as to why I couldn’t have chosen a “normal” doctorate. A Ph.D. is based on the scientific method and follows the very tight protocol no matter what your field of expertise. Dr. Peterson urged me to not just complete the requirements of the course, but to use it as a springboard for my dissertation. Though our contact was minimal, she knew how to maximize it in ways I would only fully appreciate later.

A Ph.D. dissertation rises or falls on the wording of the research question or hypothesis. One then selects a specific research culture from a handful that are officially recognized by the particular school. A mistake in one of these two steps can doom to failure or literally cause one to have to start over. To say I was overwhelmed would be an understatement. Dr. Peterson stuck with me even after I completed the course, encouraging me to  come to her with any questions. She walked me through the precarious process of formulating the research question and selecting the appropriate research culture. She guided me to formulate right conclusions rather than simply tell me what to do.

A Ph.D. candidate is assigned to a committee of scholars who must check off on every step that is taken. They must sequentially approve one’s initial research question and abstract, outline and first chapter, the types of measuring instruments to be used and all sorts of other checkpoints along the way. At some point they will undoubtedly say, “more statistical analysis, please.” I hated that! Finally, one gives an oral defense of the dissertation to the committee (think Great White Throne). Dr. Peterson was not on my committee; she was beside me (think Holy Spirit).

Somehow I survived, but without the caring guidance and counsel of Dr. Peterson, it’s hard to imagine what would have happened. She did not just wait for me to get in trouble; she intentionally reached out to me and offered her help and wisdom. By the way, I did thank her profusely. Did you go back and thank your favorite teacher?