Library Guides: Empirical Research in Education and the Social Sciences: Designing Empirical Research

Research Design Resources

SAGE Project Planner
A tutorial that guides you through all aspects of designing an original research project, from defining a topic, to reviewing the literature, to collecting data, to writing and sharing your results.

SAGE Research Methods Core
Helpful if you are designing a research project. Explains social science research methods, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches.
Sage Campus 1 and 2
Online course (most several hours long) on all aspects of research design, including research methods, data literacy, data management, and academic publishing. Registration (it's free!) is required to use this resource.

Special Access
Registration is required to use this resource.
PsycTESTS (formerly listed as APA PsycTests®)
Helps you identify questionnaires and tests to use in your research.

Office for Research Protections
Ensures that research at Penn State is conducted in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations and guidelines that protect human participants, animals, students, and personnel.
Research Data Services
Provides consultation on data, geospatial, statistical, and other research questions.
Statistical Consulting Center
Offers advice on research planning and design, sampling, modeling, analysis, results interpretation, and software.
Institute for State and Regional Affairs, Penn State Harrisburg
Located at Penn State Harrisburg, ISRA includes departments for census, geospatial, and survey research. Services include consultation/training and contract research.