Details_Research Organization

Getting Organized for Conducting Research for Graduate Students

Need help in getting organized for doing research?
Planning on coming to Dissertation Boot Camp over the break and want to get off on the right foot?
Since each person uses different research tools and takes a unique approach to doing research, it is recommended to outline a personalized plan in the beginning for getting organized.
This Canvas page provides some strategies, tools, and recommendations for getting started.
Image credit Links to an external site.

Strategies

Handout Download Handout
- Tips on getting organized to do research
Note Taking Strategies Links to an external site. from Randolph Macon College Library (see additional information in the Tools section)
Data Management Strategies (Powerpoint Download Powerpoint)
Proquest Dissertation Database Links to an external site. Strategy - search this database to find and review dissertations from your department and on your research topic
- Tips:
  - Read chapter 2 to see examples of literature reviews
  - Mine the references to find other resources
  - Read the conclusion and future research (at the end of the dissertation) to learn about new questions and future directions for research
  - Review the Appendices to find IRB, survey/instrument, interview proptocol examines

Tools

Tracking and managing the dissertation research process is important so you canchuck out the process and see progress as you go
- Excel spreadsheet template Download Excel spreadsheet template
  you can use for tracking your research tasks
- Trello, a free project management Tool can help you track progress Make 3 categories - to do, doing and done and you can move task to see your progress. I used this for my dissertation and continue to use it for tracking my tenure work.
Box.utah.edu Links to an external site. where you can store and organize PDFs, bookmarks (to e-books, websites etc.)
Citation Management Tools will help you manage your reference citations and help you insert them into your writing:
Literature Review Library Guide
- resources to help you with the literature review

to help you (Links to an external site.)to help with
(Links to an external siteSupport

Library research support
- Librarian Research Specialist
- Graduate student specific library resources
Qualitative Research Support canvas resources
- Nvivo
- Atlas.ti
Quantitative Research Support
- Library Guide
- Marriott Library Stats TA
Writing Support - The Graduate Writing Center
- online e-tutoring and in-person consultations (by appontment)

This course content is offered under a CC Attribution Share AlikeLinks to an external site. license. Content in this Canvas course can be considered under this license unless otherwise noted.