Identifying sources and
gathering information
KNOWLEDGE, ENQUIRY AND
COMMUNICATION

Objectives
 Identify the relevant sources to be able to
gather the information specific to the
research question/s you have identified.
 Discuss the purpose of identifying
relevant information and organisation of
the data surrounding your research
question/s.

ACTIVITY
 Review your research study and identify the
following factors:
(Refer to your last lecture/Does the literature or approach, link to the

question?)
Is this a qualitative or quantitative research

study?
In finding this study, what were or what key

words could you use to locate it.

RESEARCH QUESTION
 Qualitative
Inductive
 Quantitative
Deductive
MIXED METHOD

Information Gathering
(May depend on your question)
 May broaden your outlook or give you more
understanding of the area and allow you to develop
your own opinion or recommendations.
 Encourage critical thinking throughout your search,
becoming aware of the diverse sources available.
 Encourages development of efficient time management
and assist you to develop efficient gathering and
organisation skills.

Relevance of identifying
sources and data gathering
 Effective identifying of sources and gathering information requires:
 Commitment, organisation skills and time.
 Flexibility to gather from a wide variety of sources.
 Knowledge of the different sources available.
 Skills to be able to differentiate between valid and reliable
information. i.e. peer referred journals (have the articles had
to go through any formal review process?)
 This needs to be organised in a timely organised manner.

Organisation

Organisation of the data
To be able to access it

For referencing

 Hard copy
 Computer files
 Disc/flash drive/
E-mail and files
 Filing cabinet
 End note
 Create a Chart (Boynton, 2005).
 Diary/Blog (In evidence)

SAVE
Links

Journals (electronic)

Abstracts

Conference papers

References to other studies etc.


Reviewing a source
(This should be recorded in your blog as
evidence)
Note the scope of the source

Value of the source

Paraphrase the literature

Cite the references or links

Date it


CREDIBLE?
 Papers/magazines
 Wikipedia
 Journals
 Blogs
 Books
 Google
 Google scholar

Different sources of
information
Your own notes/experiences

Newspapers

Magazines

Journals/links and references from journals

Text books

Dissertations/Theses

Videos/CD ROMs/audio tapes

Friends/Staff/Health Professionals/Academic

staff

Library

Online sources- databases (from library)

Research projects

Reports

Government websites

Any more??


Your own enquiry
Sources

Date

Name of study

Subject

Author/authors

Qualitative or quantitative

Paraphrase findings or quote important facts

(For the purpose of your blog you must provide

evidence of your enquiry process, connect your
question to the study/article and state the relevance to
your enquiry).

References
Boynton, P. M. (2005). The research companion: A practical guide for the

social and health sciences. New York: Psychology Press.

Hart, C. (1988). Doing a literature review: Releasing the social science

research imagination. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
