Welcome to the Research Fundamentals Guide. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles and techniques that underpin effective research. Whether you are a student, a faculty member, or a lifelong learner, research is a critical skill. This resource aims to offer a clear and structured path to help you navigate the research process with confidence and proficiency.
Initial Assessment:
- Review your assignment or task to ensure you have a clear understanding of its requirements.
- Consider the subject’s objectives or purpose to align your research accordingly.
- Thoroughly examine the marking criteria to understand the evaluation parameters.
- Identify the assignment type, whether it’s an essay, report, review, or another format.
Analyzing the Assignment:
- Highlight any keywords or key topics within the assignment.
- Underline task-specific words (directive words) that instruct you on how to approach the task.
- Define the scope or focus of the topic, such as any restrictions on geographical region, date range, or specific population groups.
- Make note of the prescribed word limit for your assignment.
Starting Your Research:
- Begin by determining the types of resources essential for your research, such as peer-reviewed articles, case studies, or books.
- Utilize your Reading List as a valuable resource to discover relevant books, journal articles, and more.
- Identify a high-quality journal article on ProQuest and explore potential resources listed in its references.
- Ensure you comprehend the citation details, whether it’s a journal article, a book chapter, or a web page.
- Develop effective search terms using the keywords established in Step 1, taking into account synonyms and related terms.
Selecting Resources for Your Assignment:
The choice of resources to support your assignment should align with the specific information you require. The quantity of resources necessary will be influenced by your research level, the parameters defined by your assignment’s instructions, and the complexity of your assignment’s subject matter. If you have questions about the required number and types of resources, consult your assignment guidelines or seek clarification from your instructor.
Types of Resources:
- Books: Valuable for gaining a comprehensive understanding of a topic, offering in-depth analysis and discussions. Ensure the publication date is current.
- Journal Articles: Check for scholarly and peer-reviewed content, providing access to current research. These articles tend to have a narrower focus and often include reference lists and cited sources.
- Conference Papers: These papers are presented at discipline-specific conferences and offer insights into the latest research within a field.
- Newspapers: Suitable for commentary, opinions, and gaining an overview of current events or topics.
- Encyclopedias, Handbooks, Directories: These resources are useful for defining a topic and obtaining background information on a subject.
Guidelines for Assessing Your Information
Once you have initiated your information search, it becomes imperative to assess the suitability of the sources you encounter for your research.
Use the following general criteria as a framework to appraise the quality and relevance of your sources:
- Source Reliability: Is the source derived from a scholarly journal, a reputable textbook, or a respected trade publication?
- Authoritative Credentials: Is the author qualified, experienced, and affiliated with a recognized institution?
- Information Accuracy: Are all reference sources meticulously cited, and is there consistency in spelling and grammar?
- Currency and Timeliness: Is the information current and aligned with the temporal context of your research, or does it offer historical data?
- Perspective Analysis: Does the source express a particular viewpoint? Is there any discernible bias or evident opinion?
Assessing Web Resources
The internet offers access to a seemingly boundless wealth of information. However, the abundance of information may not necessarily make it suitable as a foundation for your assignments or research objectives.
Numerous valuable web evaluation checklists have been developed by authoritative institutions, and you can readily access them online. Here’s one such example.
An essential aspect to bear in mind is that all information, regardless of its source (web-based, televised, broadcasted, or formally published), should undergo thorough scrutiny before being deemed suitable for incorporation into your academic or research work.
Bringing it All Together
Now that you have:
- Thoroughly examined and comprehended your chosen topic.
- Clarified the specific type of assignment you are tasked with.
- Identified pertinent keywords and phrases.
- Conducted research across library databases and other reputable sources.
- Assessed and sifted through the gathered information with a discerning eye.
It is now time to embark on the process of crafting your assignment. The good news is that numerous resources are at your disposal to assist you in this endeavor.
Online Writing Resources
- Online Writing Guidance from the University of Wollongong This resource offers valuable support for a variety of student writing projects.
- Essential Writing Skills Advice from RMIT University This resource contains guidance on diverse forms of written assessments.
Writing a Report from QUT: A comprehensive guide that delves into the various elements of report writing.
For Referencing Guidance, please go to the Referencing at MIHE webpage.