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Cultural & Heritage Tourism: Research Support

Research methodology books useful for Tourism

Books on research methodology : 001.45 and 300.7...

Key texts are often kept in Academic Reserves

Some key methodology books in print in the UKZN libraries are:

Use a search strategy

This is a plan that helps you to retrieve information which is relevant to your research. To prepare a strategy follow these steps:

1. Define your Topic by thinking critically about the information you need and should look for.

2. Identify the Key Concepts and subtopics of your topic.

3. Identify Search Terms using your key concepts ie. terms that you will use  when searching the relevant resources. Use the Boolean operators AND, OR, and NOT to make your search more specific eg. History AND South Africa.

4. Identify Search Limits - limit your search to a specific time period. Decide on the material type eg. journal articles or books. Choose the appropriate database for the type of material you require eg.  ISAP for South African journal articles or Academic Search Complete for international articles.

5. Search the databases you have selected for information. Use the links to access full text articles. Remember the multidisciplinary databases are also helpful.

6. Manage your references and citations by noting down the bibliographic details of articles. Consider using a bibliographic management tool like RefWorks or EndNote.

Literature review and research proposal

A literature review is a process of reading accounts of what others have had to say on a particular topic or on closely related topics. It is also about tracking down and reading as many research reports as you can find on the subject.

For guidance in conducting a literature review for different purposes consider the following resources:

Thesis/dissertation writing - books

  • Books on thesis writing and referencing: 808.02 +
  • Key texts are often kept in Academic Reserves

            Some examples:

UKZN Research Office

Research Commons

The Research Commons is a dedicated advanced space for postgraduate students at masters and doctoral level as well as researchers and academic staff at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
 
Where do I find it?
The first UKZN Research Commons is situated on the Ground Floor of E.G. Malherbe Library, Howard College Campus in Durban and is accessed by swipe card. This glass partitioned room offers access to 18 state-of-the-art computers, wireless connectivity for laptop computers and one-on-one consultations with skilled research librarians.
 
Other UKZN Libraries Research Commons are at Edminson Library, Edgewood Campus and the Main Library, in Westville Campus.

The Writing Place

The Writing Place (WP) provides one-on-one academic writing tutoring to students (undergrad-Masters) at the Drop-in Centre.

Need help with academic writing? Visit one of the following WP locations and book a free consultation with a tutor who will help and guide you through the academic writing process.

Westville Campus
Suite J012 (J-Block)


Howard College
It has moved to MTB building


PMB Campus
Office B7 (Commerce Building Basement)

Click the following links:

Existing theses are useful for structure, methodology and references.

Click on the Theses / Dissertations tab above for a useful list of theses databases. Below is the link to ResearchSpace, the UKZN online thesis site.

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