PLCY 698: Senior Capstone in Public Policy: Research & Poster Design

Research Design

SAGE Research Methods
Research methods toolset designed to help researchers develop research projects, understand or identify particular methods, conduct research and write up their findings; library of more than 1000 books, reference works, journal articles, and instructional videos including Sages Little Green Book and Little Blue Book series focusing on quantitative and qualitative methods, more than 500 social research case studies of real-life social research, videos, teaching and instructional datasets, and analytical tools.(Business, Education, Health, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology).

Access: Off Campus Access is available for: UNC-Chapel Hill students, faculty, and staff; UNC Hospitals employees; UNC-Chapel Hill affiliated AHEC users.

What makes a good research question?
Handout from Duke University's (yes, Duke) Thompson Writing Program Writing Studio. Has good guidelines for and examples of research questions in the social sciences, but much applies to the humanities as well.

Davis Library Research Hub

The Davis Library Research Hub is one of three Research Hub locations. It is located on the second floor of Davis Library, and caters to researchers interested in working with data, mapping, texts, visualization, and technology. Offerings include:

A computing lab with specialized software for GIS and data visualization & analysis.
Walk-in assistance provided by knowledgeable student consultants during set hours.
Scheduled consultations with specialists for more in-depth inquiries.
Spaces for collaboration and presentation, complete with white boards and external displays.
Technology workshops and programs that promote digital scholarship.

The Odum Institute

The Odum Institute is located on the second floor of Davis Library. They provide quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods services, training, and consulting. They are a great resource if you are designing a survey, conducting interviews or if you are interested in taking a short course on social science research.

Sample Books about Research

An Introduction to Survey Research by Ernest Cowles; Edward Nelson
Call Number: e-book
Learn how to understand and use surveys effectively, avoid the pitfalls stemming from bad survey construction and inappropriate methods, how best to identify the information needed and the best approach to get that information. Each chapter focuses on one of the key components of constructing and carrying out a survey.
Practical Guide to Needs Assessment by Catherine M. Sleezer
Call Number: e-book
Includes ready-to-use templates, case studies, and tips for to assess needs for individuals, teams, organizations, government agencies, and communities. Learn how to manage and report a needs assessment project and access professional ethical guidelines.
Community-Based Qualitative Research by Laura Ruth Johnson
Call Number: e-book
This text integrates theoretical perspectives with guidelines for designing and implementing community-based qualitative research projects. Coverage of participatory research designs and approaches is complemented by chapters on specific aspects of this research process, such as developing relationships and sharing findings to strengthen programs. Includes case studies and real-life examples.