Tertiary Research

Help with Research

General Information

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Help with Research

Most tertiary institutions provide information and assistance about presenting research, whether an essay, major research topic or thesis.
first - check carefully on the individual institution’s requirements.
Check general information, below, to find other resources that may assist you maximise effectiveness of work and the presentation you make, irrespective of format.

In addition, there are points below that will assist you in preparation and presentation of work.

Make certain you know what the topic or project is specifically asking you to do :

ensure you know what the question means;

check the nuances of the question. Does it mean ‘x’ or ‘y’ or even ‘z’ is the main thrust. Are there sub-themes to be covered ? Be certain of the main thrust as well as any sub-strands;

make sure you understand phrases and individual words and their implication for the final product;

If not sure, check with the lecturer, tutor or even other students to ensure that you know what is stated and implied;

make notes listing specific things to find;

make sure of the size and format required. Short answers, one document, chapter format … . Is it 1 500 words, 3 000 words, 10 000 words, 45 000 words … ;

Once you have this understanding, look at where you will find the information. Check the next section for some possibilities.

Consider the following options when seeking information :

notes - are there notes, your own or handouts, from lectures or tutorials where you can begin gaining information ?

course booklets - most courses offer booklets with articles or notes which can assist you;

tutor/lecturer - is there information you can gather/gain from either source ? ;

tutorial or student groups - discussion helps provide background, even specific information or direction[s] to follow;

prescribed texts - most courses have prescribed texts which specifically address topics covered. Many also have bibliographies which direct you to other print/media material;

library - the university library, even a faculty library. Use bibliographies, course notes or other indicators to help narrow the search to resources the library holds addressing the specific research topic;

articles and/or journals - may be available separately from other sources and accessible through libraries or the internet;

internet - be certain of what you want before starting and find ways to shorten and make your search more accurate. These include :

specialist subject area search engines;

search engines allowing the use of advanced search features;

specialist blogs [be careful that they are factual and really relevant !];

online libraries and journals;

subject catalogues;

web rings;

research sites - subject specific and general;

reference sites;

mailing lists;

specialist discussion forums;

however, sit down and draw up a plan of attack before starting, otherwise you will waste time for little effective return.

Once you have accessed all appropriate sources and gained the required information, you will be able to begin putting the final product together.

Go back and check whether there is a specific format to be used. In addition, do the following before putting ‘pen to paper’ :

Use earlier notes on the topic to draw up a guide on how you will answer the question. When done, sit down and start an initial copy;

This should include :

an introduction clarifying what you understand the topic asks, what you are going to do and how you are going to do it;

follow up with arguments & information that actually respond to the question;

enter information in a logical and linked manner. Do not present it ‘like a blowfly in a bottle’. This will not help. People must be able to follow what you say and are attempting to prove;

make sure you draw conclusions backed up by evidence. If you argue one thing and do not provide information to support it, you have wasted everyone’s time;

make sure you have conclusions. That is the aim of the exercise;

make sure you cite work you have used from other people. Incorporate documents, sites, quotations, etc., in a bibliography;

Read your first copy and tick off the above points. Make sure that you are [a] going in the direction you want and [b] have a firm foundation for any changes. Highlight any relevant sections that you want to change so you actually know where they are;

Go back and re-write :

adding additional material you feel is valid and valuable;

remove anything you believe irrelevant;

improve your linkages between sections if needed;

make sure conclusions say [a] what you want them to, and [b] are supported by the facts;

do this as many times as necessary to reach a point where you have included everything you need to, in the clearest possible manner;

Once you have content, check presentation. You must ensure your work is :

neat and legible. For most, this is not a problem with a word processor. However, look at spacing and page set up to make sure of maximum readability;

proofread !!!! Your reputation will not be enhanced if work is riddled with spelling and/or grammatical errors;

do not rely on a computer to do it for you. They are not perfect. If not confident of doing it properly, get someone you trust, and who is capable, to do it;

Before handing in work :

make sure it is the best you can do. If you have pride in your work, you will get maximum results.

Isn’t that what you want ?

Time is always at a premium. The following links with the previous section :

use a calendar to know when things are due. You may have several projects due at, or about, the same time;

use a project planner [software, pen & paper] to map when you need to finalise things with each task;

stick to it ! This doesn’t have to be rigid and a day or so on a different aspect may not make a difference as long as you maintain a balance. Don’t have a good plan and not use it - that is a waste;

under no circumstances leave things till the Last Minute, whether getting resources, writing a draft, having a product proofread or the whole task. If you do, disaster awaits;

Make sure you know the submission date and time. If organised, there should be no problem meeting deadlines with quality work. Ensure that you have the work in on time;

If there is a genuine problem i.e. beyond the fact you just didn’t get work done, and your institution allows for extensions …,

Go and talk to the relevant lecturer.

Don’t presume all will be well. You may be granted an extension if the reason is valid, even if there is a reduction in the result. This is better than nothing;

Ignoring this problem creates more and bigger problems;

submit your work even if too late to get a mark. This is better than not submitting;

If organised, you have a plan, you stick to it and work effectively in the time allowed, you should experience no problems.

citation.

All quotes and inclusions from other sources must be cited and citations and bibliography maintained. Do not be a plagiarist. If you are found to be a plagiarist, consequences are dire.

Check whether a specific format must be used in citation and in compilation of the bibliography. There are links below and on the Plagiarism page that will assist.

You may consider the above is all you need, but there is One More Step.

When work is returned, check more than the grade. Find :

what the marker had to say in terms of content - was it relevant, how well did it go together, were conclusions valid and supported, did they understand what you tried to achieve, suggestions they offered, etc.;

whether they made comments about presentation - spelling, grammar, readability factor;

make use of these. While some markers lean toward different aspects, each time you get comments make use of them to make future work better.

why ?

Because you benefit from improvement. Isn’t this a good enough reason ?

If not continually trying for maximum results, perhaps you should consider why you are there ?

General Information

Cogitum Cociter
Free software. Select and record excerpts from web pages. Provides a log showing excerpt, date, title and web page details. Add your own comments.
Brilliant !

NEW Guide to Writing Research Papers, A
American. A wealth of common sense and widely accepted information on citing works used. From how to prepare a works cited page to annotated biographies and a section on planning the overall work.
Highly Regarded.

Guide to Grammar and Writing, A
Concentration on the tools used to present the work. Handouts on writing, quizzes to check knowledge, even a way of getting answers to your questions. Remember it is American, so there may be differences.

Other assistance in terms of bibliographies and writing formats can be found on the Writing page.