For quick access to high quality information for your assignments, try the links on these pages.
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New in Sept 2024: Watch this short video about using our new Discovery search service effectively.
Reading Lists
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Got an assignment? Have you looked at the reading list to see lecturer recommendations? fully searchable in EBSCO Discovery
A collection of over 500 full-text social science textbooks from SAGE.
Amongst other topics, this package includes 100 key Research Methods titles, including those by Andy Field, Uwe Flick and David Silverman.
Access books and videos about quantitative and qualitative research methods and many more social science research topics. Use the Tools drop-down at the top centre of the screen to access a handy Project Planner which is full of FAQs about what you need to consider at each stage in a project/dissertation. Tools also contains a Methods Map which is ideal for quickly finding details about a particular research method.
Watch a quick video overview about Sage Research Methods.
Searching Systematically
Systematic literature searches do not adhere to the same strict principles as systematic reviews (see below) but they share the need to systematically use the same search terms across a range of databases (although you may then need to adjust your search on particular databases e.g. PsycInfo has an Age limiter which isn't present in many other databases).
A scoping review outlines key concepts and provides an overview of the available research evidence on a particular topic without producing a summary answer to guide clinical decision-making. You may like to read this key article by Arksey and O'Malley (2005) about scoping reviews. You can see an example of a scoping review here.
- To search databases systematically you must first consider the vocabulary you are using and how you combine your search terms. This Applying a search strategy library guide will help you in this process, or if you prefer to use mind mapping techniques this Choosing keywords guide may also help you.
- Having decided upon your search terms you might decide to use the advanced search screens of Discovery or your preferred databases to conduct your search. Using the search history function on a database to develop a systematic search strategy can be very helpful. Advanced search strategies require you to utilize boolean operators.
The University Library provides access to a large range of resources to help you to develop your research skills. This includes the Sage Research Methods package.
Systematic Reviews
Systematic reviews started in the health field but have since spread to other areas, including education. You can see a quick example of a systematic review in education here. If you want to know more about systematic reviews and see a wider range of them from the education area, follow the links below.
The Campbell library produced by the Campbell Collaboration, is a collection of systematic reviews relating to the effects of social interventions in areas such as crime, social welfare, education and international development. At the site, scroll down to Topic Browse and choose Campbell Subject Categories.
Visit this resource to see a wide range of systematic reviews across education topics.
A concise summary about systematic reviews
Detailed information about what a systematic review is and what to consider when doing your own
Concise guidance about systematic reviews
PRISMA and PICO are terms you will read about in connection with systematic reviews. Find out about them in this information from the University of Leicester Library and Learning Services.
Referencing
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Guidance and support for referencing in APA 7, including advice about reference generators 
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Our referencing page helps you reference sources correctly with guidance for an extensive range of print and online sources.
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