Research Strategies and Techniques

Research Strategies

Defining Research Strategies

• Research strategies refer to the methods and techniques used to locate, evaluate, and utilize information effectively.
• They involve a series of steps that help individuals to identify, locate, organize, and synthesize information to answer a research question or solve a problem.

Key Research Strategies

1. Source Evaluation: Critically evaluating sources for credibility, relevance, and reliability.
   • Consider factors such as author expertise, publication date, and bias.
2. Keyword Searching: Using specific keywords and phrases to search for relevant information.
   • Use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to refine searches.
3. Database Searching: Utilizing specific databases and search engines to find relevant information.
   • Familiarize yourself with database features and search functionality.
4. Citation Chaining: Following citations to find related and relevant sources.
   • Identify key authors and publications in a field to uncover relevant research.
5. Snowball Sampling: Identifying key sources and following their references to find additional relevant sources.
   • Useful for finding sources that may not be easily discoverable through traditional searching methods.
6. Concept Mapping: Visualizing relationships between concepts and ideas to identify patterns and themes.
   • Helps to identify gaps in knowledge and areas for further research.
7. Search Engines and Aggregators: Using specialized search engines and aggregators to find specific types of information.
   • Examples include Google Scholar, Web of Science, and online libraries.

Effective Research Strategies

• Break down complex research questions into smaller, manageable parts.
• Use a systematic approach to searching and evaluating sources.
• Keep track of sources and organize information effectively.
• Evaluate information critically and avoid confirmation bias.
• Use multiple search strategies and sources to triangulate findings.

Research Strategies

Defining Research Strategies

• Research strategies involve a series of steps to locate, evaluate, and utilize information effectively to answer a research question or solve a problem.

Key Research Strategies

• Source Evaluation: Evaluate sources for credibility, relevance, and reliability by considering factors such as author expertise, publication date, and bias.
• Keyword Searching: Use specific keywords and phrases to search for relevant information, and utilize Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to refine searches.
• Database Searching: Utilize specific databases and search engines to find relevant information, and familiarize yourself with database features and search functionality.
• Citation Chaining: Follow citations to find related and relevant sources, and identify key authors and publications in a field to uncover relevant research.
• Snowball Sampling: Identify key sources and follow their references to find additional relevant sources, useful for finding sources that may not be easily discoverable through traditional searching methods.
• Concept Mapping: Visualize relationships between concepts and ideas to identify patterns and themes, and identify gaps in knowledge and areas for further research.
• Search Engines and Aggregators: Use specialized search engines and aggregators to find specific types of information, such as Google Scholar, Web of Science, and online libraries.

Effective Research Strategies

• Break down complex research questions into smaller, manageable parts to facilitate effective searching and evaluation.
• Use a systematic approach to searching and evaluating sources to ensure comprehensiveness and accuracy.
• Keep track of sources and organize information effectively to avoid duplication of effort and ensure efficient use of time.
• Evaluate information critically and avoid confirmation bias to ensure unbiased and reliable results.
• Use multiple search strategies and sources to triangulate findings and increase the validity of results.

Evaluating Sources

• Evaluating sources is a critical component of information literacy skills, involving the assessment of credibility, reliability, and relevance of a source for a particular purpose or research question.

Criteria for Evaluating Sources

• Authority: Consider the author's expertise, qualifications, and affiliation to determine credibility and knowledge in the field.
• Purpose: Determine the purpose of the source: inform, persuade, or entertain.
• Relevance: Assess the relevance of the source to the research question or topic, considering up-to-date and relevant information.
• Bias: Identify any biases or perspectives presented in the source, ensuring balanced and objective information.
• Methodology: Evaluate the methodology used to gather and present the information, ensuring it is sound and reliable.
• Credibility: Consider the credibility of the publication, journal, or website, ensuring it is reputable and trustworthy.

Types of Sources

• Primary sources: Original research, data, or firsthand accounts, such as research articles, interviews, and surveys.
• Secondary sources: Interpretations or analyses of primary sources, such as textbooks, reviews, and commentaries.
• Tertiary sources: Compilations or summaries of primary and secondary sources, such as encyclopedias and dictionaries.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

• Anonymous authors: Be cautious of sources with no author or anonymous authors.
• Lack of references: Be wary of sources with no references or citations.
• Bias or emotional language: Be alert to sources with biased or emotional language.
• Outdated information: Be cautious of sources with outdated information.
• Unclear methodology: Be wary of sources with unclear or questionable methodology.