04 Finding and Reading sources

Question 1

Primary Source

Answer 1

A primary source is one where the author is the source of origin for the
information

Question 2

secondary source

Answer 2

is one where the author summarizes
a series of primary sources.

Question 3

Types of Sources

Answer 3

Handbooks/Edited collections
 Academic Books/Monographs
 Academic Journal Articles
 References/Bibliography
 Collections/Archives
 Measurement collections
 Statistical Sources
 Government Documents

Question 4

read strategically

Answer 4

Step 1: Read the abstracts.
 Step 2: Read the introduction.
 Step 3: Read the methods.
 After Steps 1-3 decide whether the article is still worth keeping.
 Step 4: Read the discussion.
 Step 5: Read the conclusion.

Question 5

Taking notes

Answer 5

Highlight while you read, but also take notes about how you are going to piece
things together.
 Focus on themes and patterns.
 Construct the narrative.
 Piece pieces of information into an outline. Take notes on which article’s
information fits into the outline.

Question 6

A review of literature

Answer 6

is a comprehensive survey of what researchers have already done of the topic you want to study.

Question 7

Research is like a conversation

Answer 7

The conversation has already arrived but we will be adding to it
You’re finding your sources that you will use for your studies

Question 8

Academic books or monographs

Answer 8

Single author who is an expert on the topic
Seen as the best sources

Question 9

Academic journal articles

Answer 9

Reporting vehicle for social sciences
Up to date research on stuff

Question 10

References or bibliographies

Answer 10

Bibliography is like a paragraph about each source
References is just the citation

Question 11

Collections and archives

Answer 11

Good for historical research
Collections are related to a certain thing and you have to go to the area that has it.

Question 12

Qualitative research

Answer 12

methods include gathering and interpreting non-numerical data.

Question 13

Qualitative Research Examples

Answer 13

Interviews
Focus groups
Documents
Personal accounts or papers
Cultural records
Observation

Question 14

Quantitative studies

Answer 14

require different data collection methods. These methods include compiling numerical data to test causal relationships among variables.

Question 15

Quantitative Research Method Examples

Answer 15

Experiments
Questionnaires
Surveys
Database reports

Question 16

Qualitative researchers seek to learn

Answer 16

from details of the testimonies of those they are studying, also called their informants.

Over the course of a study, conclusions are drawn by compiling, comparing and evaluating the informants’ feedback and input. Qualitative research is often focused on answering the “why” behind a phenomenon, correlation or behavior.

Question 17

quantitative data are analyzed numerically to develop a statistical picture of a trend or connection. Such statistical results may shed light on

Answer 17

cause-and-effect relationships.

They may either confirm or disprove the study’s original hypothesis. Whether positive or negative, the outcome can spark awareness and action. Quantitative research is often focused on answering the questions of “what” or “how” in regards to a phenomenon, correlation or behavior.