Answered By: Research support team
Last Updated: Sep 15, 2023     Views: 320

The best tool we have for understanding different research methods is Sage Research Methods. This is a great tool for learning more about specific research methodologies, data collection and analysis techniques, etc. It includes basic definitions and overviews, case studies, handbooks, sample data sets, video tutorials, and lots more.

You can access this tool here. You can also get there from the ‘Access the A-Z database list’ link on the Library homepage (just below the main search box) and then the letter ‘S’. 

A good place to start is the Methods Map, which you can access from the Tools menu in the header.

The Methods Map lets you explore the landscape of research methods visually. Enter a method into the search box and the map will show that method positioned within the broader research landscape. You can explore spatially how different methods relate to each other, or use the box at the top to retrieve search results related to the method you're interested in.

Once you've found a relevant method and clicked through to the search results, use the content type filter in the left-hand menu to filter to the type of content you're interested in -- tutorial videos, encyclopedia entries, case studies, and more. First deselect "all content types", then click to expand and select the type(s) of content you want to see and hit "apply filter".

Beyond the Methods Map and the actual search results, another great tool in Sage Research Methods is the Project Planner, which offers step-by-step guidance for each phase of conducting research, from developing a researchable question to writing up the results. You can access this tool from the Tools menu as well.

Still have questions? Ask us!

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