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Booking a flight, choosing an online course, trying to find the ideal restaurant or hotel – these are all examples of research in daily life. The internet is a large part of our lives. Using Google, or other search engines, is a way of researching.

Research skills refer to the ability to search for, find, get, manage, evaluate and use relevant information to answer questions.

 

These skills aim to help you:

  • know how to plan a research topic
  • know how to do a research topic
  • know about different kinds of information
  • know how to search for information online and in print

 

Why Are Research Skills Important?

Research Skills allow people to identify a problem, collect information that can help address the problem, evaluate the information for quality and relevance and come up with an effective answer to the problem.

These skills not only prepare you to write better essays or research papers, but also teach you about the problem-solving skills required to tackle issues in everyday life.

Success in academic writing / Trevor Day.
The study skills handbook / Stella Cottrell
The college writer brief : a guide to thinking, writing and researching / John Van Rys
How to write better essays / Bryan Greetham
Writing up Your University Assignments and Research Projects : A Practical Handbook
Critical thinking : your guide to effective argument, successful analysis & independent study / Tom Chatfield
The quick fix guide to academic writing : how to avoid big mistakes and small errors / Phillip C. Shon
The Guide to Learning and Study Skills : For Higher Education and at Work

Choose a skill from the tabs above to learn more.

SAGE Research Methods

This online resource supports research at all levels by providing material to guide users through every step of the research process. 

Why do you need research skills?

► they allow you to find suitable information and evaluate it for quality and relevance

► they give you the ability to create and communicate your ideas

► they encourage critical thinking

► they are transferable in education, the workplace and beyond

The Academic Writing Centre

 

 

 

 

 

 

Focused academic writing tuition to ATU students, at all levels, in all years, across all disciplines.


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