Jump to Content
CSUSM Computers/Websites Unavailable:
11/15, 6am-12noon

Education 622 : Research Methods in Education

This guide will walk you through the steps for refining your topic, conducting a literature review, finding information sources and using the APA style guide for citing your sources. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact me!


 

Getting Started

Before starting your literature search, the first step is to write a possible search statement (topic) and identify keywords.  Keep an ongoing list of keywords for your own future reference.

Many times we have an idea of what we want to study but not a clear, focused topic.  Take the time to think about your possible topic and expect to do literature searches several times throughout your research process for different reasons:

  1. Review = This is a broad scan of your general topic that serves as a method for you to develop your topic further and gain exposure to multiple dimensions of a topic that you might not have considered before.
     

  2. Focus = After you have reviewed your general topic, it's time to focus your search to find major, underlying issues.  It should help you answer such questions as:
    a. Where are the gaps and controversies in my topic?
    b. Who are the major authors in this field of study?
    c. What research methodologies are used in various types of investigations?
     

  3. Analysis = Finally you're ready to do a comprehensive assessment of specific published works that analyzes trends and supports (or refutes) your research statement.  At this stage you're ready to do "literature reviews".

Developing a Search Strategy

After you have focused your topic by writing your thesis statement, you want to develop a good search strategy. Select the main concepts in your statement, find synonyms or alternative terms, and use Booleans to connect them appropriately.

EXAMPLE:

THESIS Even though language can be a barrier, parents of ESL
students should be active in PTA to show their child
that they care, and to help shape the school
environment.
MAIN CONCEPTS Parent participation, ESL Students, school environment
Alternative TERMS family involvement, limited English speaking, classroom environment or educational environment (school environment is not used)
SEARCHES #1 parent participation OR family involvement

#2 limited English speaking OR ESL

#3 classroom environment OR Educational environment


Useful Subject Terms

Can't think of terms to describe your topic?  USE A THESAURUS. Many databases provide thesauri online or alternative subject terms for you to consider.  Pay attention to what other scholars are calling your topic. This will give you a large set of terms or phrases useful in finding information on your specific topic.  A minute spent with a thesaurus or database recommended "subject terms" will save you hours of frustration! 

Books

Find books by searching the Library Catalog. Can't think of terms to describe your topic?  Catalogs use specific subject headings to group related books together.  A good strategy is to:

  • enter a keyword or two scan the list for one good item of interest click on the subject headings for that item scan the list of subject headings for ones that are of interest
  • click on another subject heading to search for more items

Circuit and Other Catalogs

Having trouble finding books in the CSUSM Library catalog?  Try searching the Circuit or other catalogs.  You can use the same search strategy listed above for "Books at Cal State San Marcos".  Remember, you can get almost any book you need from other libraries using Inter-Library Loan.


 

Journal Articles

Journals include some of the latest research in the field.  To find articles, you need to start with research databases. They allow you to search hundreds or even thousands of journals at once.

ERIC* 
A national information system funded by the U.S. Department of Education provides access to both journal articles and documents such as reports, lesson plans and other information on education-related issues.  ERIC has 2 types of information:

  • EJ = Articles*

  • ED = Documents: find full text in the library by looking for the ED number in the microfiche cabinets.  

Academic Search Premier*
 This EbscoHost database offers scholarly information in nearly every area of academic study including: education, computer sciences, engineering, physics, chemistry, language and linguistics, arts & literature, medical sciences, ethnic studies, and many more.

PsychInfo*
Available via EbscoHost: A comprehensive international database of psychology, covering the academic, research, and practice literature in psychology from over 45 countries in more than 30 languages.

* If HTML or PDF documents not available, find full-text by clicking on   Check SFX for Availability If the library doesn't have it you can order it through Interlibrary Loan ( 5-10 days delivery)
Literature Reviews

"A literature review is NOT just a summary, but a conceptually organized synthesis of the results of your search. It must:

  • organize information and relate it to the thesis or research question you are developing
  • synthesize results into a summary of what is and isn't known
  • identify controversy when it appears in the literature
  • develop questions for further research"

More help from the University of Toronto: http://www.utoronto.ca/writing/litrev.html
Examples of literature reviews can be found by searching for "literature review" in ERIC.

Click here for the literature review worksheet.
 

Finding Theses?

You can use the Library Catalog for find sample dissertations by typing "csusm thesis" and select "Genre/Form" from the drop-down box. For more information on finding theses in all subjects and all institutions see: http://library.csusm.edu/finding/more/dissertations.aspFor more information see the graduate studies page: http://www.csusm.edu/graduate_studies/thesis_project.htm

 

Citing Your Sources

As you conduct your research, you'll need to cite passages and ideas from the sources you've found.

Book Cover APA: Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. 5th ed. Washington, DC : American Psychological Association, 2001

Note: APA has added updated information on citing electronic resources. Download the PDF format here or come to the CSUSM Library to view a print version of this addition for free: PN171.F56 A63 2007  Binder