Writing and Research Resources
Below are some resources to help you write your research paper. If you need more help with, please contact me.
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Penn State Graduate Student Research and Publishing SupportInformation about research and publishing support for Penn State graduate students.
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Penn State Harrisburg Learning CenterProvides writing assistance.
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LinkedIn Learning This link opens in a new windowLinkedIn Learning offers over a thousand video tutorials on leading software topics like Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, SQL, Drupal, audio and video editing applications, ColdFusion, operating systems, and many more. These high-quality tutorials are taught by industry experts and available 24/7 for convenient, self-paced learning.
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SAGE Research Methods Core This link opens in a new windowSAGE Research Methods is a research methods tool created to help researchers, faculty and students with their research projects. Researchers can explore methods concepts to help them design research projects, understand particular methods or identify a new method, conduct their research, and write up their findings.
Citation Managers
A citation manager is a software that will assist you in creating and managing citations for the articles you use in your research. Some of the software will also store the articles you find.
You may want to consider using a citation manager as you conduct your research to save the resources you find and quickly access and cite them as you write your assignments.
View the various guides for each manager from the links below.
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Citation Management OverviewThe chart on this page provides an overview of the different citation managers available, with the features of each software to help you make a decision.
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EndNote (PSU Guide)a citation manager that you must purchase and download onto your personal computer. There is a free web version as well.
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Zotero (PSU Guide)a free stand alone program that allows for easy capturing of citation information from web pages.
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Mendeley (PSU Guide)a free tool for both the desktop and web that integrates with Zotero and easily manages PDFs.
Preparing Your Dissertation
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Project PlannerThis tool provides comprehensive information about the research process, from defining a topic to disseminating research. Very helpful for graduate students preparing a culminating research project.
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How to Design, Write, and Present a Successful Dissertation Proposal
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Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9781452257884Publication Date: 2014This concise, hands-on book is essential reading for any graduate student entering the dissertation process in the social or behavioral sciences. The book addresses the importance of ethical scientific research, developing your curriculum vitae, effective reading and writing, completing a literature review, conceptualizing your research idea, and translating that idea into a realistic research proposal using research methods. -
Writing Your Doctoral Dissertation or Thesis Faster
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Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9781452274157Publication Date: 2014James and Slater identify the key places and challenges that create extra stress during the dissertation process, and offer effective strategies and tools to address those challenges and ensure academic success. Their map walks readers through each step of the process. -
Writing Successful Reports and Dissertations
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Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9781446298275Publication Date: 2015Are you unsure what your report should look like or how you'll ever finish it in time? Are you freaking out about starting on an extended piece of writing? Help is here! In this handy little book, you'll find expert guidance to enable you to produce a successful report or dissertation. With a focus on developing an effective writing style and argument, this book shows you, step-by-step, how to plan and deliver a perfect piece of writing to gain top marks. Find advice on:
What makes dissertations and reports distinctive
Organising your time and materials
Finding the right planning method for you
How to structure your writing successfully
Writing good sentences, paragraphs, sections and chapters -
A Survival Kit for Doctoral Students and Their Supervisors
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Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9781483379449Publication Date: 2017Grounded in theoretical and empirical material, the book helps participants navigate the doctoral process with personal stories and examples from a variety of researchers. A discussion of common challenges and the inclusion of practical tips further enhance the book's diverse range of helpful resources.
