Checklist: recording your findings
Before providing you with a brief introduction to the different types of sources that are available to you, we introduce you to a checklist of factors you should consider every …
Course: Developing Your Research Project
Exercise: ‘exploding’ out terms for searching
‘Exploding’ out terms is an extremely useful way of both narrowing down your title, and coming up with specific terms to use when searching for sources. It also enables you …
Top tips: actually starting your research
Our university researchers give their top tips of things to think about to actually get you started. They also talk about their favourite research tool. What are your thoughts after …
Introduction to information literacy
There is a well-known adage called Sturgeon’s Law, which states something similar to ‘90% of everything is rubbish.’ The American science fiction writer and critic, Theodore Sturgeon coined this adage …
Exercise: developing your research question
Coming up with a good research question is a difficult thing. It must be broad enough to give you scope to explore, but narrow enough to be manageable. In this …
How to Choose a Topic for a Research Project
You may find it helpful to consider the following when choosing a subject for your research project: Choose a Topic You’re Interested In Remember, you will be doing a significant …
Top tips: what to think about before you get started …
Our university researchers give their top tips of things to think about before you get started … What are your thoughts after watching the video?
The freedom to choose your topic …
One of the greatest things with taking on a research project is the freedom you have to choose a topic and forge your own question. But this freedom can also …
Checklist: do you know exactly what you are getting into?
Before undertaking a research project, it is vital that you know exactly what you are getting into. Consider these questions, and try to make sure you have answers to all …
University researchers talk about what inspires them
What are your thoughts after watching the video? What’s inspiring you? What’s triggering your curiosity? Share your response in the comments area. Have a look at other learners’ comments. If …
What are transferable skills and why are they important?
Transferable skills are core skills which are of value in a wide range of situations, subjects and jobs. Due to the fact that many of these skills are not subject-specific, …
What is academic research?
‘Dwarfs standing on the shoulders of giants’. Did you know that you can find this metaphor written around the edge of a £2 coin? In this video you meet Dr …
How to get the most out of Developing Your Research Project
So, how much will you need to study and what will you be able to do by the end of eight weeks? How might tutors / supervisors use this course? …
Exercise: using critical thinking to reflect on your learning process
Now you are half-way through this course and updating your research proposal, this is the ideal time to reflect upon your learning process so far and brush-up on your critical …