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Science - Postgraduates & Research Support: Research process

A library research support guide for the Faculty of Science postgraduates and researchers at the University of Johannesburg.

Research Process & Library use

What Resources you can use at different stages of your research:

1. Search for a Topic

  • Search Databases for articles on the topic of interest
  • Contact your Subject Librarian and arrange for training on "how to access & make use of Library academic resources"
  • Talk to your Supervisor

2. Preliminary Research

  • Access Science Subject/Faculty LibGuides
  • Make use of Bibliographic, Multidisciplinary & Subject Databases to search for articles and electronic books
  • Make use of UJLink: Library Catalogue to trace print & electronic books
  • Make use of UJContent to search for completed UJ Masters & Doctoral Dissertations & Theses

3. Narrow Focus

  • Examine article descriptors 
  • Browse subject heading lists/ Databases Thesaurus 
  • Examine article references
  • Examine related subjects
  • Examine sub-fields

4. List Keywords

  • Examine article descriptors
  • Examine subject heading lists/ Databases Thesaurus 
  • Examine sub-fields
  • List synonyms

5. Search for Information on Topic

  • Access the Science Subject/Faculty LibGuides
  • Make use of Bibliographic, Multidisciplinary & Subject Databases to search for relevant information.
  • Start with the Bibliographic databases
  • Make use of UJLink: Library Catalogue to trace print & electronic books
  • Professional websites

6. Organise Information

  • Develop outline
  • Evaluate information
  • Categorize articles & information
    • Highlighting method
    • Create computer folders
    • Organize list of sources. Make use of Mendeley or RefWorks Reference Managers

7. Reflect & Write

  • Reflect & Write draft
  • Edit
  • Final critique & polish

8. Celebrate :) 

  • Pat yourself & your colleagues on the back
  • Do something special

 

Research process: Useful links

The following academic resources can help you visualise the whole process of starting with a research paper, dissertation or thesis

 

Research Proposal

Literature Review Advice