This document discusses identifying relevant sources and gathering information for research. It emphasizes committing to organized and efficient searching across a wide variety of source types, including journals, reports, and interviews. Key skills include differentiating high quality sources, managing references, and reviewing sources for their scope and value to the research question. The purpose is to broaden understanding and allow critical thinking throughout the research process.

1. Identifying sources and
gathering information
KNOWLEDGE, ENQUIRY AND
COMMUNICATION

2. Objectives
 Identify the relevant sources to be able to
gather the information specific to the
research question/s you have identified.
 Discuss the purpose of identifying
relevant information and organisation of
the data surrounding your research
question/s.

3. ACTIVITY
 Review your research study and identify the
following factors:
(Refer to your last lecture/Does the literature or approach, link to the

question?)
Is this a qualitative or quantitative research

study?
In finding this study, what were or what key

words could you use to locate it.

4. RESEARCH QUESTION
 Qualitative
Inductive
 Quantitative
Deductive
MIXED METHOD

5. Information Gathering
(May depend on your question)
 May broaden your outlook or give you more
understanding of the area and allow you to develop
your own opinion or recommendations.
 Encourage critical thinking throughout your search,
becoming aware of the diverse sources available.
 Encourages development of efficient time management
and assist you to develop efficient gathering and
organisation skills.

7. Relevance of identifying
sources and data gathering
 Effective identifying of sources and gathering information requires:
 Commitment, organisation skills and time.
 Flexibility to gather from a wide variety of sources.
 Knowledge of the different sources available.
 Skills to be able to differentiate between valid and reliable
information. i.e. peer referred journals (have the articles had
to go through any formal review process?)
 This needs to be organised in a timely organised manner.

9. Organisation

10. Organisation of the data
To be able to access it

For referencing

 Hard copy
 Computer files
 Disc/flash drive/
E-mail and files
 Filing cabinet
 End note
 Create a Chart (Boynton, 2005).
 Diary/Blog (In evidence)

11. SAVE
Links

Journals (electronic)

Abstracts

Conference papers

References to other studies etc.


12. Reviewing a source
(This should be recorded in your blog as
evidence)
Note the scope of the source

Value of the source

Paraphrase the literature

Cite the references or links

Date it


13. CREDIBLE?
 Papers/magazines
 Wikipedia
 Journals
 Blogs
 Books
 Google
 Google scholar

14. Different sources of
information
Your own notes/experiences

Newspapers

Magazines

Journals/links and references from journals

Text books

Dissertations/Theses

Videos/CD ROMs/audio tapes

Friends/Staff/Health Professionals/Academic

staff

Library

Online sources- databases (from library)

Research projects

Reports

Government websites

Any more??


15. Your own enquiry
Sources

Date

Name of study

Subject

Author/authors

Qualitative or quantitative

Paraphrase findings or quote important facts

(For the purpose of your blog you must provide

evidence of your enquiry process, connect your
question to the study/article and state the relevance to
your enquiry).

16. References
Boynton, P. M. (2005). The research companion: A practical guide for the

social and health sciences. New York: Psychology Press.

Hart, C. (1988). Doing a literature review: Releasing the social science

research imagination. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
