Planning Cycle

A key element in the early stages of any research project is conducting a comprehensive literature search for a critical analysis of the published works related to a research topic. Published literature provides a foundation and rationale on which to build research questions, identify gaps, and support claims. Assistance with conducting a literature search is available from the libraries and assistance with a literature review in your discipline is available through faculty and graduate workshops and writing centre consultations.

Services and tools:

• Contact your subject liaison librarian to set up an appointment to discuss your research topic and develop a literature search strategy and establish a documentation structure.  See our literature searching service.

• Consult a subject guide for and overview of recommended resources and sources.

• Locate and access the extensive print and onlne resources from the Dalhousie Libraries.  See our tutorials for advice on searching, and use of specialist databases.

• Plan a citation management strategy.

• Consult the Dalhousie Writing Centre for assistance.

CONTACT

Subject liaison librarians

Research is often a collaborative activity and identifying potential collaborators is worthwhile in the early stages. ORS and the research office in your faculty or unit can help in this area. 

Services and tools:

• Who to talk to in ORS before you begin,

• Explore options that may exist to work together with industry partners with the Office of Commercialization and Industry engagement (OCIE)
  
  
• Dal Innovates is a hub for research innovation and entrepreneurship. 

• Find out who else is working in our field of interest at Dalhousie using UNIWeb research interests and themes.

• Reach out to the research office and the Associate Dean of Research in your own faculty.

• Explore your file sharing options at Dalhousie through ITS.

• The Writing Center can help with group/collaborative writing advice.

Office of Research Services (ORS)

Information Technology Services (ITS)

Determine if your research will require you to reuse data that has already been collected by another researcher/agency, or if you plan to collect your own data.  This is the best stage to seek advice on your research methodology and, if you are using survey tools, to gather advice on making sure your survey questions will provide usable answers.

Services and tools:

• For help finding data from many sources, including census data, contact Data & GIS Services

• Surveys are often an option researchers use to collect data.  Dalhousie REB recommends web-based survey tools that store data on Dalhousie servers like Opinio and RedCap.  But other options can be considered. Go to ITS Online Survey Services for information on how to access these tools.

• Seek out advice on research methods and survey design in advance of any data collection. Your supervisor or the research office in your own faculty may direct you to advice in this area. 

• If you are a RIM student, check the RIM Brightspace for contact information for research methodology support.