Social Science Education: Research support

SAGE Research Methods Online

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Learning @ UKZN - Education Postgraduate support group:

This site contains research support material for postgraduate students.  Some of the research related topics on this site are: Searching for the literature and reading, proposal writing, the literature review, method and methodology, theoretical frameworks and more.

Other resources:

• Honours document library 
• Masters document library 
• PHD document library

Identify the research area:

• What kind of research are you doing?

• What is the research question/s and / or hypothesis that you wish to answer?

Design the research study:

• Undertake a preliminary literature review and draw up a research proposal for your supervisor.

• Get to know your librarian and find out about the research support tools and resources available through the library. Start using Endnote to save your references.

• Select an appropriate research methodology.

• Check whether ethical clearance is needed for the research.

• Situate your research within current research.

Carry out research:

• Collect the evidence to answer your research question.

Analyse research results:

• Identify what your research data reveals in relation to your research question.

Publish research results:

• Identify the format and style in which your thesis must be written.

• Ensure your referencing is correct and you have avoided plagiarism.

Please search the library catalogue (icatalogue) for additional resources.

Booth, A. (2012). Systematic approaches to a successful literature review. [Location: Edgewood. Shelf No. 001.42 BOO]

Cohen, L. (2011). Research methods in education, 7th ed. [Location: Edgewood. Shelf  No. 370.78 COH]

Creme, P. (2008). Writing at university : a guide for students, 3rd ed. [Location: Edgewood. Shelf No. 808.042 CRE]

Creswell, J. W. (2012). Educational research: planning, conducting and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research, 4th ed. [Location: Edgewood. Shelf No.370.72 CRE]

Creswell, J. W. (2001). Designing and conducting mixed methods research, 2nd ed. [Location: Edgewood. Shelf No. 001.42 CRE]

Denzin, N. K. (2011). The Sage handbook of qualitative research, 4th ed. [Location: Edgewood. Shelf No. 300.72 SAG]

Denzin, N. K. (2008 ). Collecting and intepreting qualitative materials, 3rd ed. [Location: Edgewood. Shelf No. 300.72 COL]

De Vos, A.S. (2011). Research at grass roots: for the social sciences and human services professions, 4th ed. [Location: Edgewood. Shelf No. 300.72 DEV]

Hart, C. (2001). Doing a literature search: a comprehensive guide for the social sciences. [Location: Edgewood. Shelf No. 025.52 HAR]

Levin, P. (2004). Write great essays! : a guide to reading and essay writing for undergraduates and taught postgraduates. [Location: Edgewood. Shelf No. 808.066 LEV]