Research Methods and Resources
| General Resources | Tutorials and Textbooks | Surveys | Focus Groups |
General Resources
- Bill Trochim's Center for Social Research Methods
- A "virtual" resource center for applied social research and evaluation by Bill Trochim of Cornell University.
Social Research Methods - The Global Social Change Research Project Resources for Evaluation and Social Research Methods
- This site links to on line books, manuals and guides about evaluation and social research methods, such as surveys, observations, and others.
Resources for Evaluation and Social Research Methods - Knowledge Management: "Business Researcher's Jumpstation"
- Specific search engines and indices that together can provide you with the most efficient and effective research strategy.
"Information Now!" Research Directories - Program Development and Evaluation
- Publications produced by the University of Wisconsin Extension office that are meant as resources for evaluation of programs.
Evaluation Publications - Qualitative Research in Information Systems
- Produced by the Association for Information Systems, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
Information on conduct and evaluation of the publication of qualitative research.
- Researching Librarian
- Links to selected web resources useful for research; freely searchable citation and full-text databases, funding information, relevant journals, statistics and statistical methods, useful research tools, current awareness sources, and conference papers and proceedings.
Researching Librarian
Page on Statistics and Statistical Methods - Social Research Update
- New developments in social research including new statistical techniques.
- Statistical Good Practice Guidelines
- A series of guides intended to help research and support staff in development projects.
Guides to Good Statistical Practice
Tutorials and Textbooks
- Cornell Tutorials on Research
- Each of these projects teaches a specific research method topic for audiences that are new to social research
Research Methods Tutorial - Methods in Behavioral Research, 6th ed.
- An electronic text for research methods courses in psychology and other behavioral sciences, authored by Paul C. Cozby.
Methods in Behavioral Research - Online Statistics: An Interactive Multimedia Course of Study
- This site is a self-described "introductory-level statistics book." It features interactive demonstrations and simulations, case studies, and an analysis lab. Subjects covered include a variety of statistical concepts from probability to Chi Square distribution.
Online Statistics Book
Surveys
- American Statistical Association Survey Research Methods Section
- Information on how to conduct sample surveys and what is involved in the evaluation of the results of surveys
What is a Survey - Council of American Survey Research Organizations
- Defines survey research, who does it and how it can help you and your organization.
Answers to Questions about Survey Research
The Code is organized into sections describing the responsibilities of the survey research organization to respondents, clients and outside contractors and in reporting study results.
Code of Standards Page - Data Guru
- A compilation of survey response options.
- Designing Surveys and Questionnaires
- Tutorial offers advice on how to design a questionnaire and conduct a survey.
- E-mail and Web Surveys
- This Rand Corporation book examines the validity of claims that Internet surveys are faster, better, cheaper, and easier to use than telephone or mail methods. Contents available in .pdf format.
Conducting Research Surveys via E-mail and the Web - Guide to Questions and Surveys
- Offers information related to the creation of surveys and questionnaires, classified into five topics; attitude and ethics, behavior of groups, data collection, lists of names and sampling.
- Pearson NCS (Research Notes Subject Index)
- Includes a library of articles, calculators and a glossary of common survey terms.
Survey Research Tools - Question Design and Survey Sampling
- Offers a variety of resources designed for those needing to perform basic statistical analyses on data from sample surveys.
- Reducing Error in Mail Surveys
- Article regarding how to reduce common errors in mail surveys.
- Survey Research Overview
- An overview of the key areas of survey research and a glossary of common terms.
Survey Research
Focus Groups
- Center for Higher Education Development ~ Coventry University
- Basic information about focus group research with links to other informational websites and articles.
Focus Group Research - How to Get More Out of Focus Groups
- Several articles on focus groups including how to avoid common pitfalls, conducting focus groups with people with disabilities, and getting the most from focus group moderators.
Focus Groups - Key concepts and terms
- Includes an overview, the role of the moderator, and focus group vs. group interviews.
Overview of Focus Groups
Last Modified: Feb 20, 2008
