Having problems starting a research project? Unsure of the method you should use in your research or how to start a research project? Trying to write your findings in a clear and concise manner? Check out these titles in the MVCC Library collection for guidance:
Qualitative inquiry and research design: choosing among five traditions (John W. Creswell) “attempts to answer the question: how does the type or tradition of qualitative inquiry shape the design of a study? As a result, Creswell examines five different traditions of qualitative inquiry – biography, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography and case studies and compare them in 6 phases of research design.” (p. 2)
Qualitative research: a personal skills approach (Gary D. Shank) takes the reader through the personal and analytical skills needed to effectively perform research and provides exercises of the various levels involved including: observing, conversing, participating, interpreting, conceptualizing, reasoning, analyzing, narrating and writing.
Writing up qualitative research (Harry F. Wolcott) helps the reader answer the question, “What do I include in the analysis of the data collected from my research?” The book also gives strategies and ideas for organizing your data; staying focused; writing and editing your final report.
You don’t have a detailed project report due, but you do have to write a research paper on a particular subject; here are resources for helping write a better paper and clean up those pesky problems with grammar along the way:
Style: toward clarity and grace (Joseph M. Williams) provides a guide for better writing; by showing the reader the basic mechanics of writing including sentence creation and paragraph organization; and the differences between bad and good writing.
The glamour of grammar: a guide to the magic and mystery of practical English (Roy Peter Clark) is a “practical guide to various parts of speech designed to improve communication and writing skills.” (Publisher)
Additional Resources
Narrative analysis (Catherine Kohler Riessman)
Phenomenological research methods (Clark Moustakas)
Elements of style (William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White)
The SMART way: an introduction to writing for nurses (Glennis Zilm)