Research is the process of searching for and collecting information on a narrow or broad research topic. These types of information may include journal articles, web pages, books, magazine and newspaper articles, film and audio, and archival material.
There are several places for you to research. As a researcher, you will need to keep track of the data you collect. You will use this data as evidence to answer your research question. This data will help prove your phenomenon. This allows for trends to be identified and future predictions to be inferred.
Click on the links below to search through these.
These include:
Databases hold journal articles, magazine and newspaper articles, and more. Search these to find peer-reviewed articles.
Peer-reviewed articles are articles that have been reviewed by experts in the field of the topic, that verify that the research is credible.
eBooks are online books that you can read, search for keywords, copy and paste information and highlight the book online. You can read these by logging in using your Moodle sign-on if you are an AFTRS student or staff member.
Google Scholar is a part of Google, that allows you to search for peer-reviewed journal articles, case studies, and thesis papers. If you find an article that you cannot access, please contact the library.
There are several types of assignments, each will require a different structure, Click on the links below to discover the different assignment types.
Once you have decided on your research question and scope, you will need to decide on which methodology you will use.
Research Methodologies
There are different types of research methodology to consider.
Qualitative research
Qualitative research is the process of collecting data that needs to be analysed in order to understand and interpret, lived experiences, emotions, and behaviors. This research aims to interpret events, explain why or how things occur, describe actions, and understand how individuals perceive and define meaning. This is associated with interpretive philosophy.
Data collection methods
This is how you will conduct your Qualitative research.
Quantitative research
Quantitative research is the process of gathering numerical data, that can be measured through analysis. It aims to identify relationships, discover facts about social phenomena or identify statistical inferences.
Data collection methods:
Mixed method
The mixed-method is where the researcher will use a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods. This method may assist the researcher in better answering the research question.
It is important to use credible sources to ensure that the research you have collected is accurate and reputable.
Need to check if your source is peer-reviewed or academic?
Click this link to go to our LibGuide on Peer-Reviewed Articles and Academic Sources.
It is important to keep track of your research. Where you got it, who created it, and when it was created. When you use a source (an article, book or webpage, etc.) in your work it must be referenced.
In-text reference
An in-text reference is where you copy and paste the words from a source and use them in your assignment.
Example: In Dostoevsky's Notes from the Underground, he describes how "I was lying when I said just now that I was a spiteful official" (Dostoevsky, 1864, p.4).
Reference List
This is a list that appears on the last page of your assignment on a separate page. It will be in alphabetical order and in certain formats.
Example: Dostoyevsky F. Pevear R. & Volokhonsky L. (1993). Notes from underground (1st ed.). Alfred A. Knopf.