Aids

An abstract Browsing CD ROM Database Download Home page Internet Key term page Links List of references Online Paste

Print-out Record Reference Review of the literature Search engine Search Strategy Surfing Universal Resource Locator (URL) Web sites World Wide Web

Main points

1. Questions for research can come from a wide range of sources, including things you read or hear about, lectures, comments by relatives or friends, your personal experience, or from an idea that suddenly pops into your mind.
2. A research question is best expressed in a single, simple sentence.
3. Research questions should be evaluated to make sure an initial idea is not too broad; that the research needed to answer y\our research question can be completed within your time and financial limits; and that planned research is something you are excited about doing.
4. Reviewing the literature is an important part of preparing for research, and includes learning as much as possible about previous research on the question being investigated.
5. Preparing for a literature review begins by defining the scope of the investigation. This is done by expressing the topic or research question in terms of all the concepts covered by the key words in the research question.
6. While your university library and other nearby libraries may provide relevant information, Web sites on the Internet are becoming important sources of information on all kinds of topics
7. As part of an Internet search, it is a good idea to look at sites containing social science databases, guides to specialized Web sites, and sites of research centers, professional associations, and governmental and international organizations.
8. Use of note cards, prepared in advance of a literature review, will help ensure systematic and comprehensive recording of information you will want to use.
9. Find out what style your university uses for recording references and follow these or use the formats described in this chapter.
10. When you have a useful publication in hand or see useful information on a Web site, be sure to record all the information you will need for creating a reference to it.