Are you stumped on where to start your research paper? Do sources sometimes seem like they’re impossible to find? Don’t worry, because exploring the wide range of information sources available can be an exciting and interesting journey. To help make your search easier, this article will provide an overview about researching for a project or paper.
Table of Contents
- 1. An Introduction to Research Sources
- 2. Understanding the Basics of Good Research
- 3. Gathering Primary and Secondary Data for Your Paper
- 4. Making Use of Online Resources for Deep Dive Research
- 5. Visiting Libraries To Find Academic Journals & Studies
- 6. Exploring New Ideas by Networking with Subject Matter Experts
- 7. Evaluating Your Research Before Completion
- Q&A
1. An Introduction to Research Sources
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Research sources play a critical role in academic writing and are used to ensure the validity of conclusions and arguments made by students. When creating an argument or carrying out research for any given topic, it is important for students to select reliable, credible sources that offer accurate information. Additionally, it is also essential that student understand the differences between primary and secondary research sources so they can use them accordingly.
Primary research sources involve directly collecting data from participants by either interviews or surveys as well as observing behavior within a sample group or population. In contrast, secondary research involves obtaining data which has already been collected – such as journal articles, books and websites – then using this existing material to create new insights relevant to their current area of study (Where To Find Research Papers).. It should be noted however when utilizing online resources that these must be evaluated critically with regard accuracy of information provided.
2. Understanding the Basics of Good Research
Gathering Sources
- Academic databases – Databases such as JSTOR, ProQuest, EBSCOhost and Ovid provide a large selection of articles from scholarly journals.
- Scholarly books – Whether searching through catalogs or using specialized search engines, locating good research books is an essential part of the research process.
- Research papers– Conference proceeding papers and published thesis work can be difficult to find but are frequently quite useful for researching specific topics.
Once you have obtained the sources for your project it is important to understand how to review them effectively in order to extract meaningful information that adds depth and context to your own original content. As you analyze each source try remembering three things: accuracy, objectivity/biasness and relevance. Make sure that all facts provided by each resource come from reliable sources; always comment on any potential biasness when discussing others’ works; lastly indicate why this particular point is relevant enough to include in your overall argument.
In addition if you are considering citing these resources directly then learning the prominent styles used such as MLA Style Guide or APA Style Guide & Formatting could also prove helpful within understanding proper citation procedures. Each style has its own rules regarding formats not just for citations themselves but also page layout elements (e.g., section headings). Thus familiarizing yourself with both general guidelines as well as format expectations should ensure successful implementation into your overall research processes.
3. Gathering Primary and Secondary Data for Your Paper
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Data Collection Strategies
Data collection is an essential step to completing your research paper. Primary data sources refer to original material collected directly from the object of study and can include surveys, interviews, diaries, field notes or experiments conducted by the researcher. On the other hand secondary data are processed information gathered from existing sources such as online databases, published literature like books and journals or government publications.
Once you have decided what type of primary and/or secondary data you need for your research project it is time for collecting that data through several strategies: library catalogs where relevant articles can be found; bibliographic databases (e.g.,EBSCOhost) which provide lists of indexed citations linking to full text articles in .pdf format; archives containing manuscripts with valuable historical documents regarding a particular topic; search engines (e.g., Google Scholar) providing access to websites related to the keywords used during a search query -where quality content must still be assessed- and finally request for copies either via ILLiad interlibrary loan service available at some university libraries or contact authors when their email addresses are readily available within article abstracts.
Highlighted below are two examples of how results were obtained using two different tools: EBSCOHost database being more scholarly while GoogleScholar was useful locating book reviews:- EBSCOhost Database: When searching EBSCOhost Academic Search Complete with “internet addiction” as keyword yielded 91 peer reviewed journal articles.
- Google Scholar: Using GoogleScholar indicated 2 book reviews that described current theories dealing with internet addiction.
4. Making Use of Online Resources for Deep Dive Research
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As an educator, being able to research and quickly find reliable resources is essential. With the abundance of digital resources available today, it has become easier than ever for educators to access deep-dive research materials that offer more in-depth information about their subjects. Here are a few tips on how to effectively use online resources for deep dive research:
- Find Reputable Resources: Use trusted websites such as academic journals, government organizations and non–profit organizations for your reference material when conducting research.
- Use Scholarly Databases: Utilize EBSCOhost or JSTOR databases that provide full–text journal articles from scholarly sources. These allow you to conduct keyword searches relevant to your topic.
- Utilise Library Subscriptions : Libraries often have subscriptions with memberships which they share with other libraries and institutions; providing a wealth of educational resources at one’s disposal!
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Take Note Of Open Access Materials : Find out if any published papers or textbooks used by publications permit open access downloading of content – this could be invaluable if you wish obtain secondary source material without having internet connectivity issues.These steps can help teachers save time when researching various topics pertaining specifically to their subject area – elements such as comprehensive book reviews not easily found elsewhere may also be stored within specially designed library archives.
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5. Visiting Libraries To Find Academic Journals & Studies
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Using University Libraries
- When researching a topic, visiting the local university library or online research databases can provide an array of helpful materials.
- University libraries usually have access to various physical and digital academic journals as well as scholarly studies on a range of topics.
- If you are studying at one particular school, these resources may be even more useful for obtaining primary sources from your program’s field(s) of study.
Searching Online Sources
Additionally, there are many websites where you can find both articles and essays related to different subjects. Google Scholar is one great example; it provides free public access to millions of papers published by scholars across the world. Furthermore, other search engines such as Academic Search Elite also contain vast amounts of information with links that direct users directly to peer-reviewed academic papers on their respective topics. Not only this but they often suggest additional readings which could lead to discovering valuable insights into potential research projects!6. Exploring New Ideas by Networking with Subject Matter Experts
Networking with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) is an important part of research, particularly when exploring new ideas. SMEs are typically scholars and leaders in their respective professional fields who possess specialized knowledge or experience about the subject being studied. By consulting with experts and engaging them in conversations, researchers can gain valuable insights into best practices within their industry as well as uncover new approaches that may be beneficial to their work.
In order to benefit from working closely with SMEs, there are several steps researchers should take. First, they should identify key individuals whose expertise might prove helpful for the project or inquiry at hand. This could involve attending conferences related to the topic of interest or connecting through online networks such as LinkedIn or ResearchGate.1 Once a few strong contacts have been identified and connected with via telephone calls or email exchanges, it’s critical for researchers to explain why reaching out was necessary by providing concise yet comprehensive descriptions about the purpose of their study along with relevant background information on topics discussed during initial contact.2 In addition, it’s essential that people researching solicit feedback from various groups of SMEs while also allowing ample time for others not directly involved in project analysis so they can provide useful insight.3(Footnotes provided below.)
- Birla Institute Of Technology And Science Pilani Dubai Campus Library Services – Online Database “ResearchGate” Retrieved June 13th 2021 https://www.dubai.bits-pilani.ac.in/library/databases#researchgate
- Maughan D., Shephard J., & Towell T.(2020). Managing Your Professional Networking Successfully – A Guide For Early Career Researchers . The University Of Manchester: ECR Hub pp 4-7 .Retrieved June 14th 2021 from http://www2mrfamiliesconnectionadmincontentuserfilesdocs%20for%20postingManagingyourprofessionalnetworking_v15xpdf?fbclid=IwAR32fDV7CBeB51RzMuYsfMkQTsmyqycDXbGW8uXFjK9JnEbnikWIjOeLpxU
- Smale A.( 2017 ) Identifying Real World Subjects Matter Expertise To Advance Research Projects : Harvard Business Review Insights , January 5th 2018 retrieved June 15th 2021 From URL https://hbrascendlearningcomnode116760699
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Research papers are an important part of academia and are used to document the findings in many disciplines. As such, it is important for all researchers to evaluate their research paper before completion, as this ensures that there is no plagiarism or unethical use of resources. Evaluating your research can be broken down into several steps:
- Review: It’s essential to review any sources you have been using when writing a paper and make sure they support your argument.}
- Check for Plagiarism: Use online tools like Turnitin or Grammarly to identify potential plagiary issues. This will help ensure that none of your work is being copied from elsewhere.
- Verify Data Sources : Check if the data you’re relying on has come from reliable sources or not so that there isn’t the risk of misinterpretation.
In addition, one should always give credit where appropriate by citing other authors’ works within text; this includes material accessed through online databases like JSTOR, Google Scholar and LexisNexis. Doing so will prevent both accidental self-plagiarism (when student fails included own previously written content in new submission) as well unintentional oversight which may lead to violation of academic rules/policies regarding originality requirements set forth by professor(s). Moreover, it’s also wise double check how each source was cited throughout entire body text prior finalizing with bibliographic page since errors found in citation styles could produce serious repercussions on evaluation grade given out during grading process due incomplete reference list present at end project report sheet.
Q&A
Q: What are the best sources for research papers?
A: The best sources for research papers will depend on the particular topic you’re exploring, but generally speaking academic journal articles, reputable online newspapers and magazines, books written by experts in the field of study, and government or NGO websites are some of your most reliable options.Q: How can I make sure my source is credible?
A: When evaluating a source to determine its credibility it’s important to consider who wrote it (i.e., is this person an expert in this topic?), when it was published (recent studies tend to be more authoritative) and what other references they include (scholarly articles should cite relevant authorities). Additionally, always double-check that any facts used from the source have been accurately presented before including them in your paper.Research papers are an important part of any academic career, and exploring a variety sources can help you get one step closer to writing the perfect paper. With this article’s helpful tips on finding all types of resources, now it’s up to you to do the rest – let your research take off!
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