Reclaiming Research Literacy: Pedagogical Discipleship through Story‑Driven Research Education

Research literacy occupies a formative role in applied undergraduate education, yet students in fields such as sport management, hospitality, outdoor recreation, and tourism often experience research methods as opaque, disconnected, or misaligned with their vocational aspirations. This paper introduces a story-driven, faith-informed instructional model designed for SETM 415: Research Methods in Sport and Hospitality Management, in which faculty-authored chapters integrate methodological rigor with narrative, professional realism, and Christian worldview reflection. Drawing on a recurring consulting scenario from the instructor’s experience, the model situates research concepts within authentic decision-making contexts, thereby enhancing engagement, clarifying foundational constructs, and cultivating transferable skills in analysis, evidence evaluation, and defensible reasoning. The paper argues that these narrative-anchored materials function as a form of pedagogical discipleship, shaping spiritual habits such as attentiveness, discernment, humility, and stewardship of truth that undergird responsible inquiry. Preliminary indicators suggest improvements in student comprehension, reading compliance, and methodological coherence in research proposals. The model offers a scalable, mission-aligned blueprint for Christian higher education, demonstrating how narrative-based authorship can reclaim research literacy as a holistic practice of intellectual and spiritual formation.