Research
If you’ve ever seen Shark Tank, you’re already familiar with the importance of research. The entrepeneurs have to know their markets to convince the sharks (high-level business people) that their proposals offer something new and worthwhile; without research, they have little hope of being persuasive.
The same is true in academic work. We typically deal in knowledge rather than products, but the situation is fundamentally the same: knowing the literature in your field helps you formulate and pitch your ideas.
How do you find good sources, and how do you incorporate them into your writing so that they back up your argument without taking it over?
If these questions have been gnawing at you, sink your teeth into this section's resources. The links on this page offer an overview of how to approach research. Not sure what information you're looking for? See our page on research questions.
Research Tips
- For a tutorial on using the library to find what you need, sign up for the next session of our "Library Quickstart" workshop or watch the video version. The library also offers excellent pointers on how to search databases. Additionally, each department has a designated library liaison; they'll be more than happy to help you in your research quest.
- Want to research smarter and faster? Watch our video on "How to Research."
- Once you find sources, you'll want to know how to extract information from them effectively; check out our section on note-taking for some great advice on staying organized.
- If you'd like some robotic assistance with keeping track of sources, our reference software page has what you're looking for.
- Wondering how to use that information in your own work? See "Joining the Academic Conversation" and "Source Blending"—and be sure to give credit where credit is due with proper citations.
For more information, see the following well-researched links:
Key Research Links
- Thinking of conducting any research that might even possibly be Human Subjects Research—or have no idea what that means? Peruse NPS's Institutional Review Board website and view the "Going Straight to the Source" presentation.
- Already comfortable with research but need help on citations? See our "Citations" section.
- Also be sure to get acquainted or reacquainted with the NPS Honor Code, which sets forth guidelines for maintaining an ethical academic relationship with the work of others.
More Research Links
- NPS-specific video (17:58): "Research Methods: An Introduction," Dennis Hocevar and Lauren Wollman, NPS Center for Homeland Defense and Security
- NPS-specific video (14:30): "Developing a Research Plan," Paul M. Pitman and Lauren Wollman, NPS Center for Homeland Defense and Security
- Book: The Craft of Research, 3rd ed., Wayne C. Booth et al., University of Chicago
- Book: Practical Research Planning and Design, Paul D. Leedy, Pearson
- Book: Writing Matters: A Handbook for Writing and Research, Rebecca Moore, McGraw-Hill
