In continuing to blog about resources for writing and job applications, here’s a roundup of research guides, softwares, and other links that I’ve personally found useful in doing my own research. I’ve also included some tools that clients and friends have recommended for their own research.
These guides would be useful for anyone at any stage of the research process.
I hope to keep this list updated, so please email me at doreen@drwriteaid.com if any links are broken or if you have suggestions for other resources.
If you find this list helpful, please share with your friends, students, colleagues, and so on!
Conducting Fieldwork:
- Research doing COVID blogpost series – This post was written during the onset of COVID when all of us researchers were trying to pivot from in-person fieldwork to virtual. Has some useful tips and strategies for conducting interviews virtually. https://scatter.wordpress.com/2020/11/24/research-during-covid-part-1-taking-care-of-each-other/
Research Software
- I have tried several qualitative coding and visualization software like NVivo and Dedoose but never stuck to any. I know people who like using them so I’ll just link them here.
- MaxQDA is also another one that I’ve heard people had good experiences with, but I have never used it either.
- I also recommend using a citation software. Check out this citation software comparison guide – this chart is really helpful for deciding which software to use. Getting your citations done automatically will make your life easier. https://ucsd.libguides.com/howtocite/compare
Funding Opportunities:
- Undergraduate research funding opportunities – https://ucsd-research.academicworks.com/
- List of graduate funding opportunities (fellowships and grants) – This list is from the Sociology department so it is geared more towards social sciences. https://sociology.ucsd.edu/graduate/grad-resources.html#Grant-Funding-Opportunities
Finding Sources:
Here are some ways to find academic or non-academic sources.
- Some basic guides to using Google’s advanced search filters, using quotation marks, keyword search operators, etc.
- Google Scholar – https://scholar.google.com/
- Try “Cited By,” “Related Articles,” advanced filters for time, etc
- Sociological Abstracts – For finding articles via their abstracts. You will need an institutional login though. https://search.proquest.com/socabs/advanced
- Primary sources (archives) – This list provides a general overview of what primary sources are and ways to find them. https://ucsd.libguides.com/c.php?g=90931&p=584475
- Online archive of CA – Great for finding primary sources within California or relating to California. http://www.oac.cdlib.org/
What are some research tools or resources you enjoy using? Let me know in the comments!
Thanks for reading!
Dr. Write-Aid 
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