Planning Research

Question 1

How to use library time effectively

Answer 1

Set up a spreadsheet
Have tools handy (notebook/laptop)
Determine article availability at the library
Keep search records
Utilize computer tech
Take notes 
Develop a plan

Question 2

How do you locate related literature?

Answer 2

Librarians
Internet search engines
Published citations/reference lists
Online databases
Indexes/abstracts

Question 3

How to plan a literature search

Answer 3

Write problem/subproblems
Highlight key words/phrases
Translate key words/phrases into topics
Find resources related to your agenda
Read

Question 4

How to evaluate and organize data

Answer 4

Determine if the conclusion is justified
Organize ideas to address problem
Synthesize info:
-show common themes
-Show changes over time
-compare theoretical positions
-describe trends
-explain discrepant findings

Question 5

How to write clearly and cohesively

Answer 5

Have a plan
Establish if literature is related to a problem
Use logical transitions
Properly paraphrase and cite by Ising quotes and giving credit for ideas
Summarize
Revize
Ask for feedback

Question 6

Research Design

Answer 6

The overall structure for the study:

• procedures
• data collected
• data analysis

Question 7

Steps to determine approach to collecting data

Answer 7

Determine the purpose
Determine the process
Determine how data will be collected
Determine how data will be analyzed
Determine how findings will be communicated

Question 8

Mixed methods

Answer 8

Use of qualitative and quantitative methods within the same study

Question 9

Qualitative methods

Answer 9

collecting textual or image based data

Question 10

Quantitative methods

Answer 10

collecting numerical data

Question 11

How to plan for data collection

Answer 11

Determine what data is needed 
Where is data located
How will data be obtained
What limits will be placed of the nature of acceptable tata
How will the data be interpreted

Question 12

Secondary data

Answer 12

Data derived from primary data

-distorted interpretations & communication

Question 13

Primary data

Answer 13

Data closest to the truth

Obtained directly from the source

Question 14

Data

Answer 14

Pieces of information that form the big picture. Usually transient meaning what’s true now man not be true later

Question 15

Methodology

Answer 15

Technique used to collect & analyze data

Specific to an academic discipline

Question 16

Research planning

Answer 16

The general approach to a study/not specific

Question 17

General approach to a research project

Answer 17

Think about the problem
Consider what you are studying
Consider what type of data is needed to address the problem

Question 18

Benefits of conducting a literature review

Answer 18

Gain new ideas and perspectives
Discover resolved gaps
Learn about other researchers
Tie results to preceding studies
uncover sources of data
determine if the topic is worth studying