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Help with Research
Most tertiary institutions provide information and assistance about presenting research, whether an essay, major research topic or thesis. The details are usually available as either a handbook or a download from their site. Make sure you know what is involved.
First - check carefully and be sure you know and understand your individual institution’s requirements.
Check the General Information section below, to find other resources that may assist you maximise effectiveness of work and the presentation you make, irrespective of format.
In addition, there are points below that will assist you in preparation and presentation of work.
Firstly, make certain you know what the topic or assignment is Specifically Asking You To Do.
- Ensure you know what the question actually means, not just what you think it might mean;
- Check the nuances of the question. Does it mean ‘X’ or ‘Y’ or even ‘Z’ is the main thrust ? Are there sub-themes to be covered ? Be certain of the Main Thrust as well as any Sub-strands;
- Make sure you understand phrases and individual words and their implication for the final product;
- One way of doing this effectively is to learn how to deconstruct a question to find what needs to be done. There are many places where you can find information about this. Included among these are Topic Analysis [SCU], Analysing an Essay Question [ANU], Analysing Questions [UniSA, part of Writing Learning Advice], Writing an Essay [QUT], Analysing the Question [UNE] and even for mature students at Analysing the Topic [Open.edu.au]. Most tertiary institutes will have a similar help page available;
- If you are still not sure, check with the lecturer, a tutor or even other students to ensure you know what is stated and implied;
- Make sure of the size and format required. Short answers, one document, chapter format, set out, … . Is it 1 500 words, 3 000 words, 10 000 words, 45 000 words, … . What margin size, spacing, specific format is required ? See more on this below;
- Make notes listing specific things to do, as well as specific things to find that will help you achieve this.
Once you have this understanding, look at where you will find the information. Check the next section for some possibilities.
Consider at least the following options when seeking information.
- Notes
Are there notes, either your own or handouts, from lectures or tutorials where you can begin gaining information ? - Course Booklets
Most courses offer booklets with articles or notes which can assist you; - Tutor/Lecturer
Is there additional information you can gather/gain from either source ? ; - Tutorial or Student Groups
Discussion helps provide background, even specific information or direction[s] to follow; - Prescribed Texts
Most courses have prescribed texts which specifically address the topics being covered. Many also have bibliographies which direct you to other print/media material; - Library
The university library, or even a faculty library. Use bibliographies, course notes or other indicators to help narrow the search to resources the library holds addressing the specific research topic; - Articles and/or Journals
These may be available separately from other sources or accessible through libraries and the internet; - Internet
Be certain of what you want before starting. Also be sure about the quality and validity of the sites you decide to use. Find ways to shorten and make your search more accurate. These include :
- Specialist subject area search engines;
- Specialist subject area databases;
- Search engines allowing the use of advanced search features;
- Specialist blogs [be careful that they are factual and really relevant !];
- Online libraries and journals;
- Subject catalogues;
- Web rings;
- Research sites - subject specific and general;
- Reference sites;
- Mailing lists;
- Specialist discussion forums.
- However,
Sit down and draw up a plan of attack before starting, otherwise you may waste time for little effective return. - Two lists of search engines can be found on this site to help you. See General Search Engines Or Specialist Search Engines for these. Understand that not everything on the internet is accurate or worthy of your trust. Be selective and look for sites that come from reliable sources, not created by the ‘Dodgy Brothers’;
- If you are not confident about using a search engine effectively, look at the help offered on the Search Help page, or one of the many help sites on the internet.
Once you have accessed all appropriate sources and gained the required information, you will be able to begin putting the final product together.
Go back and Check whether there is a Specific Format to be used. In addition, do the following ‘Before putting pen to paper’.
- Use earlier notes on the topic to draw up a guide on how you will answer the question. When done, sit down and start an initial copy;
- This should include the following components.
- An Introduction
Clarify your understanding of the topic, what you are going to do and how you are going to do it; - Arguments & Information
Use those that actually respond to the question; - Information Presented in a Logical and Linked Manner.
Do not present it ‘like a blowfly in a bottle’. This will not help. People must be able to follow what you say and understand what you are attempting to prove; - Make sure you have Conclusions. That is the aim of the exercise;
- Draw Conclusions Backed up by Evidence. If you argue one thing and do not provide information to support it, you waste everyone’s time;
- Cite work from other people that you have used.
Use references within the text using the preferred method at your institution and incorporate documents, sites, quotations, etc., in a Bibliography.
- Read your first copy and tick off the above points. Make sure that you are going in the direction you want and have a firm foundation for any future changes. Highlight any relevant sections that you want to change so you actually know where they are.
Go back and re-write as required.
- Adding Additional material you feel is valid and valuable;
- Remove anything you believe is Irrelevant;
- Improve your Linkages between sections if needed;
- Make sure Conclusions say [a] what you want them to, and [b] are supported by the facts;
- Do this As Many Times As Necessary to reach a point where you have included everything you need to, in the clearest possible manner.
Once you have content, check Presentation. You must Ensure your work is :
- Neat and Legible
For most people, this is not a problem when using a word processor. However, look at the Page Set Up and Spacing to ensure Maximum Readability; - Proofread !!!!
Your reputation will not be enhanced if work is riddled with spelling and/or grammatical or structural errors; - Do Not Rely On A Computer for Corrections
They are not perfect. If not confident of doing it properly, get someone you trust, and who is capable, to do it.
Before handing in work, make sure it is The Best You Can Do. If you have Pride in what you do and how you do it, you will get Maximum Results. Isn’t That What You Want ?
Time is always at a premium. Know what you have to do and when you have to do it.
- Use a Calendar
Know when things are due. You may have several projects due at, or about, the same time; - Use a Project Planner
Using a pen & paper or computer program, map when you need to finalise each task; - Stick to it !
This doesn’t have to be rigid and a day or so on a different activity may not make any impact as long as you Maintain a Balance. Don’t have a good plan and not use it. That is a waste; - Under no circumstances leave things till the Last Minute
This applies whether getting resources, writing a draft, having a product proofread or the whole task. If you do, disaster awaits; - Know the Submission Date and Time
If you are organised, there should be little problem meeting deadlines with quality work. Ensure that you have the work in On Time; - If there is a Genuine Problem
For example, beyond the fact you just didn’t get work done, and your institution allows for extensions …, - Go and talk to the relevant lecturer.
- Don’t presume all will be well. You may be granted an extension if the reason is valid, even if there is a reduction in the result. This is better than nothing. Ignoring this problem creates more and bigger problems;
- Always Submit Your Work
Even if is too late to get a mark this is better than not submitting it; - If you are organised, you have a plan, you stick to it and work effectively in the time allowed, you should experience no problems.
Citations and Bibliographies are essential parts of any research.
- Citations
All quotes and inclusions from other sources must be cited. This can be done in a variety of ways and your institution will likely have a preferred method of doing this. You should make sure you know what this is. For further information about a range of citation methods, check the material on the Writing page. - Bibliography
If you use any other works, you must have a bibliography, and it would be virtually impossible not to use other works of some kind. Again there are multiple options for creating a bibliography and you should check with your institution for the preferred format and perhaps review material linked on the Writing page. - If you do not acknowledge other people’s work you could be considered to be a plagiarist. If you are found to be a plagiarist, consequences are dire. For information about plagiarism and also about copyright restrictions, there are links below and on the Plagiarism page that will assist.
You may consider the above is all you need, but if you really want to learn from what you have done, there is One More Step.
When work is returned, check more than just the grade. The result is important, there are other indicators you can gain from work being returned that will help you in the future. Consider the following.
- Find what the marker had to say in terms of Content - was it relevant, how well did it go together, were conclusions valid and supported, did they understand what you tried to achieve, suggestions they offered, etc.. Consider these, then act on them in the future;
- See whether they made comments about Presentation - structure, spelling, grammar, readability factor, flow, … . If they did, take steps to correct the errors that were indicated by enhancing your own skills or finding other support mechanisms;
- Make Use Of These. While some markers lean toward different aspects, each time you get comments, make use of them to improve future work.
- Why ? Because You Benefit From Improvement
- Isn’t this a good enough reason ?
If you are not continually trying for maximum results, perhaps you should consider why you are there ?
Other Information
- A Guide to Grammar and Writing
Concentration on the tools used to present the work. Handouts on writing, quizzes to check knowledge, even a way of getting answers to your questions. Remember it is American, so there may be differences. - A NEW Guide to Writing Research Papers
American. A wealth of common sense and widely accepted information on citing works used. From how to prepare a works cited page to annotated biographies and a section on planning the overall work.
Highly Regarded. - Cogitum Cociter
Free software. Select and record excerpts from web pages. Provides a log showing excerpt, date, title and web page details. Add your own comments.
Brilliant ! - Other assistance in these areas can be found on the Writing page.