Dissertation Research Guide – Traditional Research

Prior to beginning the research for your dissertation, you should already have an idea of the type and depth of information you are going to be seeking. Once you have this in mind, it is necessary to understand where and how to find the information you need from the vast variety of resources available. The research methods and resources will depend highly on the type of information you require. It is necessary, when doing research, to have an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each resource type. Some topics are best explained by a particular resource, such as periodicals as an excellent source of current events and up-to-date information. To gain a broad perspective and obtain a better understanding of your topic, it will be necessary to mix current publications (periodicals) with more historic documentation (books and encyclopedias) in most cases.

Basic Resource Types

In today’s research environment there are many diverse sources of potential research information. Ranging from the traditional books and periodicals (including scholarly journals) to the more modern electronic databases and Internet resources, each has unique strengths and weaknesses. The techniques for using each are equally unique, though they possess significant parallels when compared side-by-side.

There is a great difference between traditional research methods and more recent research methods. Traditional research sources have been published reports and books or periodical materials. Although the Internet and other modern developments offer a wide variety of resources (particularly on recent developments and events), the tried-and-true traditional methods are frequently necessary for developing background information or for accessing comprehensive coverage of a given topic.

The first rule of research is to keep yourself and the information you gather organized. This can be done with anything from a set of index cards to a virtual mind map utilizing the latest software available. The media of collecting the information is unimportant, keeping the information organized and documenting its sources is important.

Types of Sources

Students frequently hear the phrases “primary source” and “secondary source” during the course of their research, but have no idea what the difference between them is. Primary sources are materials written during the period or event as in research and laboratory notes and reports written by the participants. Secondary sources are reviews and event accounts written based on the contents of primary sources.

More recently, a third category has begun to be recognized: tertiary sources. Tertiary sources are magazine and other popular publication materials that put information from primary and secondary sources into nonprofessional terms for the public to understand, but whose accuracy and reliability may be clouded. Often this loss of accuracy and reliability stems from the tertiary author’s own lack of understanding of the source materials.

Another recognized break in source types is the time-related element. The type of topic you are dealing with affects the time relationship. Dissertations on current political issues or topics such as global warming will need information that is more recent. Interpreting the effectiveness of military strategies might call upon a mix of current and historic information.

General Topic Sources (Dictionaries, Indexes and Encyclopedias)

The reference section of the local library is an excellent starting point for most research. Usually located on the first floor of the library, the reference section contains a variety of resources, including dictionaries, encyclopedias, indexes, and directories. These materials are not normally available for checkout, so plan additional time at the library when using them.

These materials will frequently have bibliographies (or be bibliographies) that can lead you to additional materials on the topic you are researching. Frequently, the articles in encyclopedias will contain additional leads for further research to narrow or broaden your topic. Today, many of these resources are available online through the library’s website.

An advantage of physically going to the library for accessing these materials is the availability of the reference librarians. Although many library websites have an option to send a question to the librarian, personal interaction can be far quicker and more effective.

Sources of Comprehensive Coverage (Books and Journals)

The two primary sources for comprehensive topic coverage are books and journals. As with many research materials, the primary difference between them is their individual scope. Books can provide extensive background and research information on a particular subject, often explaining the relationship between its core topic and related issues and subjects. Journals provide intensive coverage on specific issues and subjects, such as a medical journal containing a full report on the effects of a new medication in the treatment of hepatitis or a new surgical procedure for the removal of malignant tumors from cancer patients.

Sources of Current Information and Opinion (Periodicals)

Periodicals, since they are published on a continuous basis, are the best traditional sources of recent, up-to-date information on many topics. They are broken down into four basic categories: serials, journals, magazines and newspapers.

Serials are the bridge between books and general periodicals. Often, serials take the form of progressive development reports that are published on an annual basis. Topics typically covered by serials might include developments in cancer research, updates on the effects of and/or international response to global warming, and evaluations of the state of a nation or society (as in the American President’s annual State of the Union address).

Journals contain articles and reports focused on specific issues and developments on scientific, academic and industrial topics. They are excellent compromises when a student needs a level of detail about a particular topic, but does not have access to a primary source on the topic. It is important to note, however, that often times the persons involved in the topic’s primary research in fact, write reports and articles found in the journals.

Magazines typically contain a mix of journalistic reference and current events. They can be excellent starting points for a given topic, citing sources and people involved in the events and research. A word of caution is given, however. People outside the discipline usually write the magazine articles and their accuracy and reliability can subsequently be questionable.

Newspapers are perhaps the ultimate example of a periodical. Most are published on a daily or weekly basis and can be excellent sources of information regarding how an event or situation played out during the time it was actually happening. Newspapers can also be an excellent source of opinion materials through their editorials and letters to the editor. Due to the volatile nature of the articles, newspaper sources should be compared with other sources to detect and weed-out errors of fact that frequently occur in the media.

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