I made this for my graduate research students and decided to share it more broadly for the benefit of anybody else who struggles with evaluating credible and trustworthy sources....
Looking for the perfect research topic? This comprehensive guide walks you through the process of selecting a meaningful topic for academic research, from identifying your interests to consulting experts. Learn how to brainstorm ideas, explore global challenges,...
Are you passionate about sharing untold stories and underrepresented knowledge? Welcome to the Wikipedia community! This guide is designed to empower you, especially if you’re new to editing. Discover the importance of your unique contributions and learn how to...
As the new academic semester dawns, I warmly welcome students, faculty, and staff to a transformative journey beyond textbooks and lecture halls, something I do through my efforts as a Spiritual Life Advisor (chaplain) at New York University. While this is directed to...
Embark on a transformative journey through Exploring Nature’s Wisdom: A Guide to Personal Growth through Nature-Based Pilgrimage. This extensive guide delves into the sacred connection between nature and spirituality, offering insights into personal...
Discover the profound spiritual lessons imparted by nature and how to integrate them into urban life. Embrace impermanence, value interconnectedness, and seek balance as you learn from the untamed beauty surrounding you. Create a green sanctuary, practice outdoor...
In this video, as a nature-based spiritual director, I share how an enlightening encounter with chickadees triggered a pivotal shift in my perspective, helping me understand that my challenges were less significant than I perceived. I discuss the transformative power...
Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22nd, is a global event dedicated to raising environmental awareness and promoting sustainable practices. As we look back on this year’s Earth Day events, it can be helpful to reflect on our experiences and lessons...
I was recently saddened to see some old trees nearby cut down, and I started to reflect on my need to mourn their passing. I was unaware of how connected I was to these three trees until they were dismembered seemingly without a care for their majesty. That experience...
In this video, I discuss one proven strategy to make graduate or doctoral research a success. The Research Journal is a journal or personal diary focused on centralizing all things related to your research studies. It is a critical component to working on a thesis or...
Continuing my exploration and meditations on the virtues, I want to share my recent reflection on the virtue of Fertility. I welcome your thoughts and hope this will be useful to...
Enhancing & Expanding Your Literature Review: Advanced Strategies for Graduate & Doctoral Students Have you done a thesis or dissertation, or are you working on one now and have been told you need to expand your literature review? You have already reviewed the...
Continuing my reflection on the virtues, here are some thoughts on the virtue of moderation. Moderation is a virtue that involves cultivating one’s appetites so that one is neither a slave to them nor driven to mental or physical ill health through excess or...
Graduate and doctoral students must develop the perfect research question to guide their research projects. In this video, we’re going to uncover the secret to the perfect research question, and I will show you 5 simple strategies you need to know to find the...
In this video, I muse on the idea of meaning, and how it affects our lives. I talk about how we make our own meaning, and how this process is key to our happiness. Yes, you guessed it — there is no such thing as objective external meaning telling us what to...
Identifying a research problem is an important first step in proposing and conducting research. It defines the focus of your research area and sets the direction for your next steps. A well-defined research problem connects you to previous work in your field, guides...
I am preparing for my graduate research courses and want to share some tips and encouragement for those graduate and doctoral students new to research....
I have been thinking about spiritual burnout recently based on some comments and sharings from several friends and colleagues. It inspired me to do some reflections and offer some suggestions, which I recorded while sitting in a park (a perfect place for...
In this video, I explore the work of Hannah Arendt, who is often considered one of the greatest thinkers of the 20th century. Arendt’s work examines the nature of evil and the ways in which social discourse can be used to enable it. I explore Arendt’s...
Jeffrey M. Keefer, Ph.D., is an educational consultant, institutional researcher and accreditation officer in higher education, professor of research methodology, nonprofit capacity building and strategic planning consultant, talent development coach, spiritual life advisor (chaplain) at New York University, spiritual director, and Wikipedian.
How to Critically Evaluate the Sources Used in Graduate and Doctoral Research Papers
The Graduate Student’s Guide to Choosing a Research Topic
Empowering Your Voice: A Welcome Guide for New Wikipedia Editors
How to Connect with Nature: A College Student’s Back-to-School Guide
Exploring Nature’s Wisdom: A Guide to Personal Growth through Nature-Based Pilgrimage