Library

Research Processes and Methods

How to Cite References and Avoid Plagiarism

• How to Cite References, Coady International Institute guidelines. (104K pdf)
• Examples of Citing References
• StFX University Library Plagiarism Resource Page & StFX University Policy Regarding Plagiarism, information to help students follow the university's rules for academic honesty.
• Citing Government Statistics, Statistics Canada.
• Citing Net Sources, from Ohio State University, how to identify the creators of web pages, and how to cite them correctly in your own work.
• Quoting and Paraphrasing Sources, shows the difference between direct quotes and paraphrases, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Research Methods Tools, Manuals and Readings

• Action Research, articles by Peter Reason.
• Analysis and statement of the problem, Module 4 from the book Designing and conducting health systems research projects: Volume 1, by C. Varkevisser, et al. (IDRC).
• Analysis of qualitative data: Steps in data analysis and report writing, Module 23 of Designing and conducting health systems research projects: Volume II: data analysis and report writing, C. Varkevisser, I. Pathmanathan & A. Brownlee, (2003). Published by KIT Publishers & IDRC.
• Analyzing qualitative data. E. Taylor-Powell & M. Renner, (2003). (168K pdf)
• Analyzing quantitative data. E. Taylor-Powell, (1996). (126K pdf)
• Blackman, A. & Fairey, T. (2007). The photovoice manual: A guide to designing and running participatory photography projects. London: PhotoVoice. (4.77 Mb pdf)
• CDC EZ-Text is a software program designed to assist researchers create, manage and analyze qualitative databases. Published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Child-friendly participatory research tools, PLA Notes #60.
• Community-based participatory research: A training manual for community-based researchers, S. Shallwani & S. Mohammed, (2007). (949K pdf)
• Cornell Participatory Action Research Network (CPARN) is dedicated to developing a participatory action research community at Cornell and beyond.
• Data collection protocols & participatory research techniques: Training of trainers manual, A. Shillingford, (2006). (1.85 Mb pdf)
• Evaluation publications, University of Wisconsin Extension Department has produced a series of evaluation research booklets that clearly describe different aspects of conducting qualitative and quantitative research.
• Franz, N. (2011). The unfocused focus group. Qualitative Report, 16(5), 1380-1388.
• The Guardian's Datablog provides interesting examples of how publicly available data can be analysed and presented, including some tools for data analysis. While it is written in the context of journalism, the methods are useful for anyone who wants to make information available in ways that make sense to people.
• Guide to focus groups. Ontario Women's Health Network (OWHN).(2009). This guide is intended to help you develop and analyze focus groups in your community. (209K pdf)
• Inclusion research handbook. Ontario Women's Health Network (OWHN). (2009). This handbook details the history, roots and development of Inclusion Research and provides a how-to-guide on conducting this type of research. (517K pdf)
• Institute of Development Studies (IDS), participation resource centre.
• Keystone Accountability. (2009). Developing a theory of change: A guide to developing a theory of change as a framework for inclusive dialogue, learning and accountability for social impact. (IPAL Guide 2). (1.42 Mb pdf)
• Learning and teaching for transformation (LTT) dialogue, a global dialogue exploring relationships between education, participation and social change. The initiative is hosted by the Participation Group of IDS.
• Mehta, L. (2007). Somewhere over the rainbow? The politics and dilemmas of researching citizenship and marginality. (IDS working paper 288). (300K pdf)
• A methodological framework for combining quantitative and qualitative survey methods, N. Marsland, et al. (2000). (92K pdf)
• Oral History: Centre for Oral History and Digital Storytelling at Concordia University, includes access to their software Stories Matter.
• Oral History Society, an organisation dedicated to the collection and preservation of oral history.
• Participation, rights and citizenship topic guides, IDS.
• Participatory methods toolkit: A practitioner's manual, by N. Slocum, (2003). This guide provides detailed instructions for several participatory methods for policy research. (1.85 Mb pdf)
• PhotoVoice. (2009). Statement of ethical practice. This document highlights ethical issues that might arise in a project and creates a framework for procedures for managing ethical issues. (71K pdf)
• PhotoVoice methodology series is a useful tool when using participatory photography with different groups.
• Popplewell, R. & Hayman, R. (2012). Where, how, and why are action research approaches used by international development non-governmental organisations? (INTRAC Briefing Paper 32). (438K pdf)
• Qualitative data analysis, lecture delivered by R. B. Johnson. Lecture is based on Chapter 17 of the book Educational research: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed approaches, B. Johnson & L. Christensen, (2004). Published by Pearson Publishing. (467K pdf)
• Recording and using indigenous knowledge: A manual, International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR), (1996).
• Research and Policy in Development (RAPID) Tools, free downloadable toolkits that can help researchers inform and influence the policy process.
• Resources for program evaluation and social research methods, by Gene Shackman, Applied Sociologist.
• Rhetological fallacies: Errors and manipulation of rhetoric and logical thinking, this chart shows some of the common ways people’s understanding may be affected by assumptions, bias and other errors of logic.
• Robert Chambers' blog, posts his current thinking on participatory approaches to development and participatory research methods.
• Sample size calculator, by Raosoft.
• Sampling, a workbook by Alison Galloway.
• Stakeholder analysis toolbox, EDIAIS, (2001).
• Stakeholder power analysis, J. Mayers, (2005). (431K pdf)
• ThesisTools, a website which enables students to create their own online quantitative surveys/questionnaires. The service is free, but the website providers encourage students to share their research findings on the site.
• Tools for knowledge and learning: A guide for development and humanitarian organisations, by B. Ramalingam, (2006). (700K pdf)
• The Web Center for social research methods was developed at Cornell University. This website includes a "Knowledge Base" and online tutorials on a wide range of social sciences methods for academic research.
•  Who counts? The quiet revolution of participation and numbers. R. Chambers, (2007). IDS Working Paper 296. This guide explains how researchers can gather statistical information using participatory methods. (2.72 Mb pdf)

Multimedia Methods

• Exploring online research methods, University of Leicester. This website provides an online resource which provides training for researchers who are interested in using online research methods such as online questionnaires and online interviews.
• The Fogo process uses media technology as a tool in participatory community development. The process evolved from events that took place on Fogo Island, an island off the northeast coast of Newfoundland, Canada. Don Snowdon, of Memorial University's Extension Department was an active participant in this process. His 1983 paper Eyes see; ears hear describes the video techniques and technology as they can be used elsewhere.
• Photovoice has drawn from critical and feminist theory to create a method using photography to engage communities in research.
• A practical guide to photovoice: Sharing pictures, telling stories and changing communities. B. Palibroda,  et al. (2009). (1.46 Mb pdf)
• Video for development, the goal of this Eldis blog is to collect examples of the use of the internet to support video for development.

Partnership

• Negotiating research relationships: A guide for communities, produced by the Nunavut Research Institute and the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, (1998). (218K pdf)
• Somewhere over the rainbow? The politics and dilemmas of researching citizenship and marginality. L. Mehta, (2007). IDS Working Paper 288. The author considers the ethical implications and power dynamics to consider when conducting research with marginalized people. (220K pdf)
• The Partnering Initiative, many research projects involve partnerships with a variety of organizations. Cross-sector research partnerships require careful negotiation of the roles and responsibilities of each partner. The Partnering Initiative includes a number of guides on managing partnerships effectively.

Sharing Research Results

• Alternative media: A guide. ICIMOD, (2007). Describes the use of theatre and other creative forms of communication (1.24 Mb pdf).
• A journalist's guide to reporting research findings, a practical guide published by Panos London. (1.73 Mb pdf)
• Navigating amidst complexity: Guide to implementing effective research and development to improve livelihoods and the environment, B.M. Campbell, et al. (2006). A manual that demonstrates how research is integrated into a development process, in this case, natural resource management (1.18 Mb pdf).
• Spreading the word: Practical guidelines for research dissemination strategies. D. Saywell & A. Cotton. (1999). A quick guide for developing a research dissemination strategy. (33K pdf)
• Successful communication toolkit, ODI. If you are interested in ensuring your research reaches policymakers, ODI has created communication tools.
• Working with the media: A guide for researchers, Panos London, (2006). (2.43 Mb pdf)

Research Proposal Writing and Funding

• Changemakers.com holds competitions seeking innovative projects, awarding prizes in a number of categories. They also provide a venue for sharing research and collaborating with others interested in your research field.
• DevFunding: Tenders, grants and funding information, from the European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI).
• The Global Fund for Women provides small grants to enable women's organizations to participate in conferences or to host meetings. This can provide an opportuntity to share your research.
• Guidelines on writing a research proposal, by M. McGranaghan.
• Guidelines to writing a research proposal, Oxford University, an example of the categories required in a research proposal for graduate studies.
• Proposal writing and fundraising, a toolkit from Global Development Network.
• Writing effective public policy papers: A guide for policy advisors in Central and Eastern Europe. E. Young & L. Quinn (2002). (497K pdf)

Searching for Information

Electronic Research Tutorials

• Novanet, the library catalogue, click on "Help" to read information on how the catalogue is used.
• Critically analyzing information sources, from Cornell University.
• Evaluating web sites, from Ohio State University.
• How do I?..., is an online tutorial complete with short videos for students wanting an introduction to research skills.
• How to evaluate internet resources, from Memorial University of Newfoundland.
• How to search successfully, from Memorial University.

Electronic Research Resources, Databases and Journals

You are encouraged to browse through the Coady Course Links on the subject areas related to your topic.

• Action Learning & Action Research Association (ALARA), publications page provides access to the ALAR Journal (scroll to bottom of page for volumes listed).
• ERIC database is a large database of resources related to education and training. It contains abstracts of published journal articles, plus full-text content of conference papers, reports, theses and other non-published resources from 1993-2004.
• INFOMINE: scholarly internet resource collections
• The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) maintains several databases of current development information.

• Journals to which the Marie Michael Library subscribes. Click on the journal title that interests you, and browse by issue, or conduct a search using the journal's search feature.
• The Qualitative Report is dedicated to qualitative research.  Issues available: 1(2008)-current.

Writing Support

On-Campus Assistance

• StFX Writing Centre, has brief guides online. Staff is available at the Centre Monday-Friday to assist you with your writing. Call 5221 to make an appointment.

Online Writing Guides and Tools

• Independent Reading & Research Study Handbook, Coady International Institute, 2010. (259K pdf)
• APA style guide, examples on using the APA format for citing references in a bibliography. APA is the format used at the Coady Institute. (Site from the University of Alberta).
• Preparing an Annotated Bibliography, University of Maryland, USA.
• Writing an Annotated Bibliography, D. Knott, New College Writing Centre.
• Book review tips, from Memorial University.
• The elements of style, by W. Strunk. This is an old text, but it is a very thorough guide to writing for those who may be interested a more advanced self-tutorial.
• How the language really works: The fundamentals of critical reading and effective writing, D. Kurland. This site shows you how to recognize what a text says, what a text does, and what a text means by analyzing choices of content, language, and structure.
• OneLook reverse dictionary, lets you describe a concept and retrieve a list of words and phrases related to that concept.
• Oxford Reference online, online version of the Oxford English Dictionary, as well as other reference resources. (Access restricted to StFX).
• PlainTrain, Plain Language Online Training, contains tips and techniques for improving your communication skills with the use of plain language.
• Study guides and strategies, maintained by J. Landsberger.
• Writer's handbook, an overview of different types of writing assignments, grammar and style. (Site from the University of Wisconsin-Madison).
• The Writing Center, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has a series of Handouts on a wide range of aspects of the writing process.