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PAD 704: Research Design

This guide was created for PAD 704 Research Design but includes resources that will be useful for anyone working on a lit review or other research project.

Dewey Graduate Library

Dewey Classroom

Reserve the Dewey Classroom for presentation practice, group study, or collaboration with peers. Visit the Dewey Graduate Library website for more information.

Research Help

Research Trail

Keeping track of your research steps and findings is part of a good research strategy.

  • It will keep you from duplicating your efforts. Don't try to remember every search you've tried - write it down!
  • It is a handy way to keep track of information you will need for your bibliography.
  • It is an easy way to show a librarian what you have already tried.

How to keep a research trail

  1. Keep track of the database you used, the search terms you used, the filters or limits, and the date you conducted the search.
  2. Make a note of the number of results. It doesn't have to be exact; it can be as general as "too many" or "not enough."
  3. Save results worth reviewing in your preferred citation manager or copy and paste the permalinks in your research trail.
  4. If you have any thoughts or ideas about the resource or your research strategy, jot them down.
  5. Keep it simple.