Research Methods and Thesis Preparation

Course #: GESC360

A "re-view" of already existing information
A secondary source, desk-based research method which critically describes and appraises a topic.
Why do it?
- To show you are aware of what research has already been done in a field
- To demonstrate you can analyze or interpret what research has been done
- To point out gaps in, or critique, existing knowledge
- Source: Jesson, J., Matheson, L., & Lacey, F. (2011). Doing your literature review : traditional and systematic techniques. Los Angeles, Calif. ; London: SAGE. P. 163

First steps

Beak your research topic or question into concepts
Run a few simple searches to determine what terms are used in different databases
Create a search strategy you will run across multiple databases

Create a "controlled vocabulary" (aka index, subject headings, keywords) before you start searching
These are critically important concepts in your research area that you define
Assists you in searching, categorizing, analysis, and final write up

Comprehensive search across multiple databases
Most databases:
- Use connectors (boolean operators) to combine terms:
  - AND, OR, NOT
  - " exact phrase "
  - Truncation - * manag* (manage, management, managing)
  - Wildcard - ? colo?r
- Use "controlled vocabulary" or subject terms
  - you can find subject terms by browsing abstracts of your initial results, or subjects usually displayed at the left side of the search results page
- Allow you to narrow or limit results
- Allow you to combine and save searches
Start at the GES Subject page; consult Geobase, Proquest GES bundle, and Web of Science at a minimum
All databases have great Help resources; consult for exact terminology and advanced search strategies

Using expert(s) to find specific literature
- Good way of leading into key authors
- Good to identify key journals
- Usually advisable to start with some initial research yourself
  - Database example: using Times Cited sort feature in Web of Science

Not everything in Google Scholar is scholarly (or peer-reviewed)
When using, be very cautious about results
Good to use if you have a citation and are looking up a single article, or a known peer-reviewed journal
When connecting off-campus, first set up off-campus access to access Laurier resources

You'll be generating and collecting a lot of information: citations, pdfs, word documents, html files, for ex.
You should consider:
- Research question(s)
- Research themes
- File formats
- Security
Consider a Citation Management system to manage citations/articles in full text
Two main free systems: Mendeley and Zotero
Mendeley is recommended for those who will primarily be working with pdfs
Zotero is recommended if your research content is diverse, e.g. citations from library catalogues; also web version is somewhat easier to use
- See the library's comparison chart of both systems

App links