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Assignment Writing: Researching

This guide will help you plan, research and write your written assignments.

Finding the right information and storing it in an organised way that is easy to access makes your writing much easier to manage.

Check out the Research Guides that were created by Whitireia and WelTec's Library Team. 

  • How to get started with your research
  • Research process - This guide briefly talks through a 6 step research process
  • Finding information and research - This guide includes searching strategies and tips
  • Rangahau/Research - This guide includes links to research databases, as well as Maori research information 
  • An overview of APA Referencing - a more in-depth version can be found here

For some more tips, carry on reading. 

Planning your search strategy

You can spend a lot of time doing research and then find that the notes you've taken don't relate well to your assignment topic or question. Use these ideas to help you target your research and take good notes from what you read.

Plan your search strategy

Plan your strategy before you start searching

  • Work our where you will search
    • For example, the library catalogue, research databases, other websites
    • Begin by searching the Whitireia and WelTec library databases because this is where you will find academic literature. After that, move to Google Scholar. Google should be the last place you look for research.
  • Determine the best key words for your search
  • Decide which Boolean operators will be useful

Check out the Finding Information and Researching guide for more search tips. These were created by Whitireia and WelTec's Library Team. 
Check your assignment sheet
  • Determine what type of sources your assignment requires
  • Check to see if there is a recommended reading list on your assignment sheet. 

How library stuff works: How to choose keywords by McMasters Library

 

Once you have found some resources, try these next steps. 

 Check for relevance

Once you have chosen your search strategy, and found some resources, evaluate the information.

  • Read the titles.
  • Skim read the abstracts. 

If the resources still sound relevant, read them more thoroughly. 
Evaluate the information

Check to see if the information is appropriate for your academic assignment. 

  • Check out the video below for a simple way of evaluating resources. 
  • Also, check out Step 4 of the Research Process Guide that created by Whitireia and WelTec's Library Team. 

How library stuff works: How to evaluate resources (the CRAAP test) by McMasters Library

 

Great, so you have decided the resources are good. Now it's time to take notes. 

Take notes of key points
  • As you read, identify the key points (or main ideas)
  • Write these in a research diary
  • Keep track of your resources/reference as you go!!

Ask yourself,

  • What are the main ideas relevant to my assignment topic?
  • What evidence is available to back up these ideas?
  • What information could be left out to ensure I'm within the word limit?
Make a plan
  • Make a plan of how you are going to structure your assignment, including the key ideas you're going to include. 

I've been asked to write a literature review. How do I do this?

How to write a literature review: 3 minute step-by-step guide by Scribbr

Keep a research diary

It's a good idea to come up with a way to keep track of your information. Try a research diary.

Image credit: Creative commons

  1. Put the date, title, author and publication date at the top of each page.
  2. Use bullet point for key ideas.
  3. When you've finished reading, transfer the notes onto the computer under headings that fit with the key points of your assignment.
  4. Cross off everything you've added to the computer.
  5. These notes form the basis of your assignment.
  6. The diary is a physical record of all your research.

Your research diary is your new best friend!

 

Take a moment

Take a moment - How are you going to do your research and record your findings?

 

  • What search strategy will I use to find information?
  • Where am I going to search for information? 
  • How do I want to manage the information? 
  • How will I set up my research journal?

Image citation: Possessed Photography. (2019, September 8). Rerouting [Photograph]. Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/0La7MwJhSyo