One of the biggest learning curves for A level and IB students adjusting to university-level study is research. For most, this is a brand-new skill that can be overwhelming and take a while to hone. Hence, it catches many out and low grades can often be attributed to poor research skills.
Luckily, here at The Profs, we have tried and tested research methods. We know what complements coursework best and we know what mark schemes favour. With plenty of our team having achieved First Class degrees from Oxbridge and Russell Group universities, you can trust our experience. Read on for insider advice.
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Content
- What are primary sources?
- What are secondary sources?
- Tips for conducting online research
- The importance of peer-reviewed texts
- Tips for conducting offline research
- Learn how to scan texts
- Process what you read
- How to record quotations
- How you document your research matters
- Keep track of information for citations
- How we can help
What are primary sources?
Primary sources refer to original materials or direct evidence that provide firsthand accounts of a subject or event. It is raw data or original documents that have not been filtered, interpreted, or evaluated by others.
For students at university level, primary sources could include historical documents, raw data sets, interviews, original literary works, official records, or direct observations.
Engaging with primary sources allows students to develop their own interpretations and draw original conclusions, making their work more insightful and authentic. When using primary sources, it’s essential to consider the context, authenticity, and potential biases within the material.
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What are secondary sources?
Secondary sources interpret, analyse, or critique primary sources. These include academic books, journal articles, reviews, and essays that provide context, commentary, or critical analysis of primary materials.
For students at university level, secondary sources are invaluable in providing theoretical frameworks, scholarly critiques, and diverse perspectives on a topic.
Utilising these sources effectively requires a deep understanding of the theories and arguments that underpin your field of study. It’s important to engage with secondary sources critically, recognising the author’s biases, the strength of their arguments, and how their work fits into the broader academic discourse.
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Tips for conducting online research
When conducting online research, here are some pointers:
- Use academic databases: Start with reputable databases like JSTOR, PubMed, and Google Scholar to access high-quality research papers, avoiding less reliable sources like general websites or forums.
- Advanced search techniques: Utilise Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) and search filters like date range, author, and publication type to narrow down your search results to the most relevant studies.
- Evaluate credibility: Always check the author’s credentials, publication date, and the journal’s reputation to ensure the source is credible and up-to-date. Avoid outdated or non-academic sources.
- Leverage citation trails: Use the references in academic papers to find additional relevant studies. This can lead you to a wealth of research connected to your topic. This can also be a way to find more niche, less obvious relevant sources.
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The importance of peer-reviewed texts
Peer-reviewed means that a research paper or article has been evaluated by experts in the field before being published, ensuring that the work meets academic standards for quality and credibility.
When conducting online research, the quality of your sources is paramount. Relying on peer-reviewed texts lends credibility to your work.
Avoid relying solely on popular search engines or non-academic websites, as these may not provide the scholarly rigour required for university-level research. As the tips above mention, use academic databases and evaluate credibility. You can also use the advanced search options available to search peer-reviewed sources only.
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Tips for conducting offline research
In-person research can add depth and originality to your work, offering insights that are often overlooked in purely online research.
Here are some pointers:
- Utilise special collections: Visit libraries and archives to access rare books, manuscripts, and primary documents that aren’t available online. Many universities have special collections that hold unique materials that can enrich your research, so definitely ask your professors about this. You can also go to relevant exhibitions at museums to find unique sources.
- Engage with librarians: Seek assistance from librarians who can guide you to relevant resources, databases, and lesser-known materials that you might not find on your own.
- Take detailed notes: When working with physical materials, take thorough notes, including exact page numbers and any key quotes, to ensure you have all the necessary information when you’re back at your desk.
- Photocopy or scan important pages: If allowed, photocopy or scan crucial pages from books or articles to review them later. This also helps in capturing visual elements like charts or diagrams.
- Participate in field research: For certain topics, conducting interviews, surveys, or observational research in the field can provide firsthand data that you can’t find in published works.
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Learn how to scan texts
Effective research requires the ability to distinguish between when to scan a text and when to read it in depth. It’s admirable to want to read everything front to back, but it is simply not possible.
You need to become comfortable in identifying and choosing what texts to prioritise, and what texts to scan. Simply put, you don’t have the time to read EVERYTHING you’re considering for references. So, practise efficiency.
Scanning involves quickly identifying key points, arguments, and evidence within a text without reading every word. This skill is crucial when dealing with large volumes of material, allowing you to identify relevant sections quickly.
Use tools such as the table of contents, headings, subheadings, and index to locate pertinent information. If you’re reading texts digitally you can even control search for specific keywords throughout the whole document.
Reserve in-depth reading for texts that are central to your argument or those that require a thorough understanding.
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Process what you read
Processing the information you read is vital for retention and understanding.
What works for you is totally personal, so it’s important to identify how you best digest information and then adapt your research strategy accordingly.
For example, some people find the below techniques helpful:
- Highlighting key passages (whether PDF or paper).
- Annotating margins with thoughts or questions (whether PDF or paper).
- Printing out important sections as paper to read physically rather than digitally.
- Listening to the audio reading of texts.
- Watching any film versions of the text (although it’s important to read the original written version as well as these can differ).
- Engaging in debates regarding texts e.g. on subreddits, the student room, podcasts or YouTube videos.
- Actively engaging with texts by summarising paragraphs or discussing the material with friends and family.
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How to record quotations
Precisely recording quotations is essential for supporting your arguments accurately and avoiding plagiarism.
Consider using speech-to-text software to quickly capture quotations while reading or listening to a source. This method can save time, especially when dealing with complex or lengthy texts.
Additionally, always record the full citation information alongside the quote to avoid future confusion.
Developing a system for categorising and storing these quotations, such as using a digital note-taking app or a well-organised document, will make it easier to incorporate them into your writing later on.
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How you document your research matters
The organisation of your research notes can greatly impact the ease and accuracy with which you write your papers.
Consider creating a research document with clear headings sorted by topic or theme and colour-coded by source. This will allow you to quickly find relevant information as you write.
Another effective method is to maintain a table of contents, organised by themes, with links to each source, making navigation seamless.
Alternatively, you could record a brief synopsis of each piece you read, alongside 1-5 key quotations. This approach not only helps you organise your thoughts but also synthesise information from multiple sources, making the writing process more efficient.
You might find a blend of the above methods works best for you, or a whole new procedure entirely. Experiment and explore to discover the easiest way for you to access your research and utilise what you need for your essays.
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Keep track of information for citations
Proper citation is crucial for academic integrity and the credibility of your work.
Keep meticulous records of all the sources you consult, including page numbers and specific editions whilst you research and record quotes. Regularly update your citation records as you progress in your research to avoid last-minute scrambles.
You should note that different disciplines and universities require different citation styles (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago), so ask your professor or consult your course’s style guide before getting started. Also, note that citation style can differ between modules so it’s really important to check before you begin!
Additionally, be aware that the information needed for citations in text and/or in the footer/header often differs from what’s needed for citations in the bibliography. The style is also often different.
For example, in MLA, in-text citations are brief and are typically included within the body of your text, right after the quoted or paraphrased material e.g. “In his discussion of the literary technique, Smith argues that the metaphor is essential to understanding the character’s journey (Smith 45).” While MLA generally favours in-text citations, if you choose to use footnotes or endnotes, they might include more detailed information than what is found in the in-text citation. In the bibliography, which MLA refers to as the “Works Cited” page, the citation is much more detailed. It includes all necessary publication information, and the format is more elaborate e.g. Smith, John. Literary Techniques and Character Development. Oxford University Press, 2021.
To ensure you cite correctly, download your relevant citation style guide – usually, there are ones searchable online, including ones made by reputable universities. However, it’s ideal if your university has its own style guide for your citation style as there can sometimes be discrepancies between universities and dates of the editions.
Once you know what citation style you’re going to use, ensure that you start recording all relevant information for this type of citation from the sources you record quotes/data from. Avoid having to go back at the end and find where your quotes came from, or go back to the source information because you haven’t got all the information noted down to start writing your citations. The best way is to cite your sources as you record them while you’re still researching!
Tools like citation management software (e.g., Zotero, EndNote, Mendeley) can help automate the citation process, allowing you to focus more on the content of your research rather than the formatting of your citations.
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How we can help
Conducting thorough, high-quality research is imperative to undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. So is knowing how to process, organise, record and cite it in a way that elevates your work.
Research is difficult, as a new expectation from former A level and IB students, it can be overwhelming and many students struggle to get it right, meaning their grades suffer. So, it’s key to get ahead of this and ensure you have a strong foundation of knowledge and skills to build on at university. That’s where we come in.
Our expert undergraduate and postgraduate Tutors can help you ace your degree. Our 2024 survey shows that 95% of our undergraduate respondents achieve a grade improvement after working with us and 47% of respondents achieve a First (almost 5 times the national average).
