Gammon Theological Seminary · Library Services
📚
The C.L.E.A.R.
Remote Research Map
A systematic framework designed to help remote students and faculty navigate the complex landscape of theological research resources — wherever they are.
Designed by Elonda Clay · Librarian & Metaliteracy Educator
Gammon Theological Seminary · Remote Student Success
The Challenge
The Remote Research Problem
Distance learners face a unique challenge: the full breadth of research resources that exists to support their scholarship can feel invisible, scattered, or inaccessible from off campus.
5
distinct resource categories remote students must navigate simultaneously
1
unified framework that brings them all together: C.L.E.A.R.
∞
research potential unlocked when students know where to look
💡 C.L.E.A.R. ensures distance learners don’t miss valuable resources and can conduct thorough, professional research regardless of physical location.
Gammon Theological Seminary · Remote Student Success
About the Framework
What Is the C.L.E.A.R. Model?
C.L.E.A.R. is a systematic framework designed by library director and metaliteracy educator Elonda Clay to help remote students and faculty navigate the complex landscape of theological research resources.
“By completing this personalized map, you’ll create a customized research toolkit that grows with your academic and professional needs.”
It is not merely a resource list — it is a personalized map. Each student completes and customizes their own C.L.E.A.R. map, building a living toolkit that evolves with their research practice.
Gammon Theological Seminary · Remote Student Success
The Acronym
C.L.E.A.R. — What Each Letter Means
C
Catalogs
Discovering what’s available — your gateway to institutional and global library holdings
L
Local Libraries
Leveraging community resources — public, academic, and special collections near you
E
Electronic Resources
Maximizing digital access — databases, e-books, journals, and citation management tools
A
Access (Open)
Utilizing open and free materials — repositories, denominational archives, and OA search tools
R
Research Networks
Connecting with scholarly communities — academic social networks and professional associations
Gammon Theological Seminary · Remote Student Success
Student-Centered Design
The Remote Student at the Center
All five C.L.E.A.R. components radiate outward from the student. Research is cyclical — you may enter at any point.
🎓
Remote
Student
CCatalogs
EElectronic
Resources
AAccess
Open
RResearch
Networks
LLocal
Libraries
Students may enter the C.L.E.A.R. cycle at any point — research is not linear.
Gammon Theological Seminary · Remote Student Success
C — Catalogs
Your Gateway to Discovering What’s Available
Catalogs are your first stop — they reveal what resources exist before you search anywhere else. The C component maps your institutional catalog and the broader world of library holdings.
🏛️ My Institution’s Resources
✓Primary Catalog: Digital Theological Library 2 (DTL2)
✓Personalized login credentials and access URL
✓Key contact: eclay@gammontheologicalseminary.org
🌐 Beyond My Institution
✓WorldCat (worldcat.org) — discover holdings at libraries worldwide
✓Identify your local WorldCat libraries
✓Interlibrary Loan (ILL) process for items not held locally
🔍 Quick Reference: Note which research keywords work best and where to look when you can’t find something locally.
Gammon Theological Seminary · Remote Student Success
L — Local Libraries
Leveraging Your Community Connections
Your local community is a research asset. The L component ensures you know which physical libraries are available to you — and how to use them effectively as a remote student.
- 🏙️Public Library Systems: Your main public library card, available research databases, special collections, and regional/county branches
- 🎓Academic Libraries in Your Area: Nearby colleges or universities with visiting privileges — requirements and contacts included
- 🗄️Special Collections & Archives: Unique holdings relevant to your research — often not discoverable through online searches alone
- 🚌Transportation & Access Notes: Best visit times, parking, and transit options so logistics never become a barrier to research
Gammon Theological Seminary · Remote Student Success
E — Electronic Resources
Your Digital Research Toolkit
The E component ensures full access to your institution’s digital resources — configured and ready before you need them under deadline pressure.
🔬 Top Theological Databases
✓ATLA Religion Database
✓Academic Search Complete
✓JSTOR
✓Project MUSE
✓Oxford Biblical Studies Online
📖 Platforms & Tools
✓EBSCO eBooks & ProQuest Ebook Central
✓JSTOR & Project MUSE e-journals
✓Citation tools: Zotero, Mendeley, EndNote, RefWorks
✓Off-campus VPN / proxy access setup
✓IT Help Desk & Library Support contacts
⚙️ Confirm off-campus access is configured at the start of each semester — before deadlines arrive.
Gammon Theological Seminary · Remote Student Success
A — Access (Open)
Utilizing Free & Open Materials
Open access resources are a powerful and often underutilized layer of research. The A component maps free materials — including vital denominational archives unique to theological study.
⛪ United Methodist Church Resources
✓Thesis & Dissertation Repository
✓Special Collections & UMC Archives
✓General Board Archives & historical documents
✓Denominational publications & Cokesbury resources
🌐 Open Access Search Tools
✓Google Scholar
✓DOAJ — Directory of Open Access Journals
✓OAIster
✓BASE — Bielefeld Academic Search Engine
✓Subject-specific & institutional repositories
Gammon Theological Seminary · Remote Student Success
R — Research Networks
Connecting with Scholarly Communities
Research doesn’t happen in isolation. The R component maps your presence in scholarly networks — connections that expand your reach and deepen expertise in theological study.
🔬
ResearchGate
Share publications, follow researchers, and access full-text papers in your field
🎓
Academia.edu
Build your scholarly profile and connect with academics working in theology
🔗
ORCID
Your persistent researcher identity — links all your work across platforms and institutions
💼
LinkedIn & Associations
Professional associations with member resource access, conferences, and research forums
📋 Track which profiles are active vs. need setup — and what resource access each association provides.
Gammon Theological Seminary · Remote Student Success
Your Research Workflow
How C.L.E.A.R. Fits Your Research Process
C.L.E.A.R. supports every stage of the research lifecycle — from identifying a problem to sharing results.
1Identify Research Problem
2Plan Search Strategy
3Gather Sources & Data
4Evaluate Sources
5Analyze Sources
6Create an Outline
7Write Drafts
8Cite Sources
9Edit & Proofread
10Share & Collaborate
🔄 C.L.E.A.R. is a living map — revisit it at every stage, not just at the start of a project.
Gammon Theological Seminary · Remote Student Success
Your Personal Map
Building Your Personalized C.L.E.A.R. Toolkit
C.L.E.A.R. is not one-size-fits-all. Each student completes their own map — filling in their specific credentials, contacts, and preferred resources.
📋 Record your primary catalog login and access URL
🏛️ Identify local libraries with visiting privileges
💻 Confirm off-campus database access is configured
📂 Set up your citation management tool of choice
🔓 Bookmark your key open access repositories
👤 Create or update your academic social network profiles
🤝 List professional associations and member resource access
📞 Record emergency contacts: advisor, library, IT, writing support
Gammon Theological Seminary · Remote Student Success
Troubleshooting
When Research Hits a Wall
Every researcher gets stuck. The C.L.E.A.R. map includes a built-in troubleshooting guide so you always know your next move.
🔒 Can’t Access Something?
→Check: Is your VPN/off-campus access configured?
→Try: Alternative database or interlibrary loan
→Contact: Library Support or IT Help Desk
→Email: eclay@gammontheologicalseminary.org
🤔 Stuck in Your Research?
→Consult: Your faculty mentor or advisor
→Reach out to: Library Research Support
→Writing help: Academic Writing Support contact
→Try: Alternative search approaches or databases
🆘 Complete the Emergency Contacts section of your map first — before you ever need it.
Gammon Theological Seminary · Remote Student Success
Keeping It Current
Monthly Maintenance — Keep Your Map Alive
Your C.L.E.A.R. map is a living document. Set aside time each month to keep it accurate and useful.
🔔
Update Saved Searches
Refresh saved database searches and alerts for new publications in your focus area
🗄️
Check for New Database Access
Your institution may add databases each semester — check for new resources regularly
📑
Review & Organize Citations
Keep your citation manager organized so your bibliography is always ready when needed
👤
Update Professional Profiles
Add new publications, projects, and affiliations to ResearchGate, Academia.edu, and ORCID
📅 Record the Date Created and Last Updated at the bottom of your personal C.L.E.A.R. map.
Gammon Theological Seminary · Remote Student Success
Theological Research Focus
C.L.E.A.R. for Theological Scholarship
C.L.E.A.R. was built with theological research in mind. Several components are specifically tailored to the unique resource landscape of seminary study.
- CDTL2 (Digital Theological Library 2) as the primary catalog — specialized theological holdings far beyond a general university library
- EATLA Religion Database as the core theological database, alongside JSTOR, Project MUSE, and Oxford Biblical Studies Online
- AUnited Methodist Church Archives — General Board documents, denominational publications, Cokesbury — unique to Gammon’s tradition
- RTheological professional associations and research communities tied to each student’s scholarly and ministerial focus
Gammon Theological Seminary · Remote Student Success
Metaliteracy in Practice
More Than a Resource List — A Research Mindset
Designed by a metaliteracy educator, C.L.E.A.R. teaches not just where to find resources, but how to think about finding, evaluating, and using them throughout your scholarly career.
🧭
Navigate Complexity
Understand the full landscape of resources, not just the most obvious ones
⚖️
Evaluate Sources
Step 4 of the workflow explicitly builds critical evaluation into the research process
🔄
Iterate & Adapt
Research is cyclical — enter at any C.L.E.A.R. component and move fluidly as needs evolve
🤝
Collaborate & Share
Step 10 makes your scholarship part of the broader scholarly conversation
Gammon Theological Seminary · Remote Student Success
Getting Started
Your First Steps with C.L.E.A.R.
Don’t wait until a deadline forces you to scramble. Build your map now — while you have time to explore and configure each section.
📧 Questions?
eclay@gammontheologicalseminary.org
1
Download Your Personal C.L.E.A.R. Map
Save the framework document and fill in your institutional details
2
Log In to DTL2
Set up your Digital Theological Library 2 credentials and confirm remote access
3
Configure Off-Campus Database Access
Set up VPN or proxy access so electronic resources work from anywhere
4
Create Your Citation Manager Account
Choose Zotero, Mendeley, EndNote, or RefWorks — and install the browser extension
5
Fill In Your Emergency Contacts
Advisor, library support, writing support, IT — so help is one click away
What C.L.E.A.R. Makes Possible
The Outcomes of a Complete Research Map
📈 Research Outcomes
✅More thorough literature reviews through catalog, database, and open access coverage
✅Stronger bibliographies with citation management from day one
✅Access to rare denominational archives unavailable through general searches
✅Faster problem-solving when access issues arise
🌱 Professional Growth
✅Visible scholarly identity through ORCID, ResearchGate, and Academia.edu
✅Connection to professional associations and research communities
✅Confidence and independence as a remote researcher
✅A growing toolkit that serves you well beyond graduation
🎯 C.L.E.A.R. is not just for one paper — it is a professional research infrastructure that grows with you.
Gammon Theological Seminary · Remote Student Success
The Full Picture
C.L.E.A.R. — All Five Components Together
C
Catalogs
DTL2 · WorldCat · Interlibrary Loan · Your institution’s primary library catalog
L
Local Libraries
Public library system · Academic visiting privileges · Special collections · Archives
E
Electronic Resources
ATLA · JSTOR · Project MUSE · Oxford Biblical Studies · E-books · Citation management
A
Access (Open)
Google Scholar · DOAJ · OAIster · BASE · UMC Archives · Cokesbury · Institutional repositories
R
Research Networks
ResearchGate · Academia.edu · ORCID · LinkedIn · Professional associations · Research forums
Gammon Theological Seminary · Remote Student Success
✨
Your Research. Your Map. Your Success.
C.L.E.A.R.
📚 Catalogs
🏛️ Local Libraries
💻 Electronic Resources
🔓 Access (Open)
🌐 Research Networks
A personalized research toolkit that grows with your academic and professional journey — designed by Elonda Clay, Gammon Theological Seminary.
eclay@gammontheologicalseminary.org
Gammon Theological Seminary · Remote Student Success
Elonda Clay 