academic research skills definition

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Research skills refer to the ability to search for, locate, extract, organise, evaluate and use or present information that is relevant to a particular topic. Academic research is a specific type of research: a process of detailed and methodical investigation into some area of study. It involves intensive search, investigation, and critical analysis, usually in response to a specific research question or hypothesis. It also usually involves a lot of reading.

Here are some examples of research questions:

Does smoking cause lung cancer?
Are gender roles a product of nature or nurture?
Will genetic engineering ever make it possible for humans to grow new organs?

The point of all academic research is to be able to say something with authority about the subject in question. Most of your lecturers are also researchers who specialise in particular fields. Advanced academic research aims to contribute something new to the subject area, but at undergraduate level, you are usually expected to begin by researching other people’s ideas and contributions, mostly through reading.

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Introduction to Academic Research

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What is Academic Research?

Planning your Research
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Academic research involves a thorough investigation into what is known about a given topic. When completing assignments, integrating information from a variety of sources helps:

Add depth to your understanding.
Strengthen your argument.
Reduce bias and misconceptions.

Research assignments are designed to help you think like a researcher and learn good research skills, such as selecting appropriate topics, identifying keywords, searching for information efficiently, and evaluating your sources. Being able to find, evaluate, and integrate sources in your work is an important skill that you will use throughout your personal life and career. In this guide, we'll cover some of the key information and skills you need to know to succeed at Sheridan.

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

Use a variety of strategies to identify a research topic and related keywords.
Use a variety of strategies to narrow or expand your search.
Describe different types of sources and databases.
Select appropriate sources based on a variety of criteria.

Get CCR Credit

This guide is part of Library & Learning Services' Co-Curricular Record program. If you are not being graded for completing this module as part of a Sheridan course, you can apply for Co-Curricular Recognition! Learn more at Library & Learning Services' Co-Curricular Recognition Guide .

Last Updated: Dec 13, 2024 9:39 AM
URL: https://sheridancollege.libguides.com/academic-research