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Unit 5: What information is needed?

Different types of research require different levels of information, and often using different types of resources. The following table gives some examples.

Review a play:
Objectively analyse the relative success or failure of the given production.

  • A limited review of information.
  • Reading the play before you go to the production to develop a sense of what the characters might look like, suitable set design and appropriate costuming.
  • Interviewing a sample group to obtain their opinions.

Write an essay or give a short presentation:
Discuss a specific issue.

  • A significant review of information.
  • Using basic theory found in books.
  • Supporting your argument with examples found in books and journal articles.

Produce a laboratory report:
Document your findings and show your understanding of the principles the experiment was designed to examine.

  • A minor review of information.
  • Using your laboratory manual.
  • Obtaining source data from reference material or theory from books.

Write a dissertation or thesis:
Answer a problem or hypothetical question.

  • A major review of information.
  • Supporting your argument with examples found in books, journal articles, reports and conference proceedings.

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SMILE - Finding Information by Imperial College, Loughborough University and the University of Worcester, modified by Marion Kelt Glasgow Caledonian University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License