Home - ART 602 - Qualitative and Arts-Based Research Methods - LibGuides at Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Getting Started with your Research

Research is a Process

Research is an iterative process. Rarely does anyone fully understand, or even know enough, at the outset of their research endeavor to be asking precisely the right questions or forming the right thesis statement. The more you know and learn about your topic of interest, the more likely your questions and approach to the topic will change; thus requiring you to do some more research with a better formulated or slightly different question or point of view.

Starting Early Creates Room for Reflection

Starting early allows you to be reflective about what you are doing (and provides enough time for some items to arrive if you've used interlibrary loan). Give yourself time to read, ptocess, write, reflect; and then you can modify and refine as necessary, probably several times. The experience won't be nearly as stressful.

Get an Overview at the Start

Starting with a basic overview and understanding of the major concepts or ideas involved with your research creates a foundation on which to then explore the research. It will provide you with a rich set of search terms with which you can then search the databases for research articles. A concept map can be a useful tool at this stage of your research.

Focus, Focus, Focus

Focusing on and obtaining a solid understanding of precisely what it is that you're trying to learn about is important. If you aren't focused (typically, student topics are often too broad in scope), the research process is much harder as you will tend to "over explore" too many possibilities and exhaust yourself, and the time you have for the your project, in the process. This typically leads to many false starts (vs. just a few) and a "rush to the finish" that probably won't be your best work.

Resources to Assist in Finding a Topic

Encyclopedia of Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent by Barbara A. Kerr (Editor)
ISBN: 9781452266121
Publication Date: 2009-06-17
"The encyclopedia contains thousands of ready-to-use facts from the fields of education, psychology, sociology, and the arts. The 411 entries and more than 550,000 words review research findings on giftedness, talent, and creativity and their applications in education, training, science and the arts, government policy, and everyday life. From A to Z, the entries cover the major facets of this field, from artistic ability, to achievement motivation, to creative personality, to emotional intelligence, gender differences, genius, intelligence testing, learning styles, minority under-representation, multiple intelligences, musical ability, prodigies, scientists, self-actualization, thinking skills, and more."--preface.

eBooks on Arts -- Study & Teaching
By clicking on this link you will run a search of current eBooks the library owns on Arts--Study & Education

Finding Research in Education

Education Source This link opens in a new window
Full text resource covers scholarly research and information for education students, professionals and policy makers. Includes the largest and most complete collection of full-text education journals. Includes international English-language periodicals, monographs, yearbooks and more. Covers all levels of education—from early childhood to higher education—including all educational specialties, such as multilingual education, health education and testing.
ERIC ( Education Resources Information Center ) This link opens in a new window
ERIC, the Education Resource Information Center, provides access to education literature and resources. The database provides access to information from journals included in the Current Index of Journals in Education and Resources in Education Index; journal articles, books, research syntheses, conference reports, technical reports, policy papers, and other education-related materials.

Using Library Search

Library Search

"Library Search" will search almost all of the library's databases. While it will search Jstor, from time to time you may need to search that database seperately.

Finding Research in Related Disciplines

Art & Architecture Complete This link opens in a new window
Includes thousands of images and full-text articles from an array of journals, books and more. International in scope, Art Source includes periodicals published in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish and Dutch and is designed for use by a diverse audience, including art scholars, artists, designers, students and general researchers. Includes full text from 630+ journals; 220+ books; and 63,000+ images.
Learn more about this resource.
PsycINFO This link opens in a new window
The premier research tool for psychology and related disciplines (education, sociology, nursing, etc.). Provides access to journal articles, book chapters, dissertations, and technical reports.

Research Methods eBooks

The SAGE Encyclopedia of Social Science Research Methods by Michael S. Lewis-Beck; Alan Bryman; Tim F. (Futing) Liao
ISBN: 9780761923633
Publication Date: 2003-12-15
This Encyclopedia provides readers with authoritative essays on virtually all social science methods topics, quantitative and qualitative, by an international collection of experts. Organized alphabetically, the Encyclopedia of Social Science Research Methods covers research terms ranging from different methodological approaches to epistemological issues and specific statistical techniques.
Writing the Literature Review by Sara Efrat Efron; Ruth Ravid
ISBN: 9781462536900
Publication Date: 2018-11-14
This text provides a roadmap for producing a high-quality literature review--an integral part of a successful thesis, dissertation, term paper, or grant proposal. Each step of searching for, evaluating, analyzing, and synthesizing prior studies is clearly explained and accompanied by user-friendly suggestions, organizational tips, vignettes, and examples of student work. Also featured are excerpts from peer-reviewed quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods articles. This book also covers crafting different types of reviews (systematic, traditional–narrative, or hermeneutic–phenomenological) that reflect the writer's research question, methodological choices, and approaches to knowledge. It describes what all reviews have in common and highlights distinct characteristics of each type. The book includes dos and don'ts for evaluating studies and constructing an argument, and software suggestions for locating, organizing, and arranging sources. Pedagogical Features •Checklists and'To Do'activities that break down key steps to take. •Boxed examples, graphics that organize and visually illustrate key concepts, and summary tables.
Artist Scholar by G. James Daichendt
ISBN: 9781841506050
Publication Date: 2011-01-01
The evolution of art education in the university continues to expand in the twenty-first century as the variables of craft, skill, technique, theory, history and criticism shift and expand as the perspective of arts-based research is introduced into this professionalized environment. Given this context: what can MFA students do to improve their understanding of writing and research without sacrificing their commitment to their studio art process? Through a series of essays, the text argues for better writing at the MFA level with the purpose of becoming better artists. By contextualizing art practice in the university and providing a foundation for future artist scholarship, it serves as an invitation to artist scholars to push their work further and develop the confidence to situate their art in the university context.

Literature Review

Tools for Synthesis

Scholarly Article - Data Collection Worksheet
Data Collection Worksheet
(an electronically fillable worksheet)

Writing a Literature Review and Using a Synthesis Matrix
Links to a pdf discussing the basics of writing a literature review and using a synthesis matrix

Synthesis Matrix
Tool to assist you in the process of synthesizing information you gather from research articles. Useful for preparing to write a literature review.
(electronically fillable worksheet)
Phrases for Synthesis
Sample phrases to help when synthesizing the articles you read. Taken from the Index of Templates in They Say, I Say by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein.
Help…I've Been Asked to Synthesize!
3 page easy to read document on what it means to synthesize what you have read in a research paper or essay. Created by Colleen Warwick at Bowling Green University
Example of a Good Literature Review
This lit review is well organizd, well written, and easy to read.
This literature review is excerpted from the following article:
Koehn, C, Yum,Y., Desroches, N.G., Li, H.Z., & Deagle, G. (2007). Asymmetrical talk between physicians and patients: A quantitative discourse analysis. Canadian Journal of Communication, 32(3-4), 417–433. DOI: 10.22230/cjc.2007v32n3a1959

APA Citation Style and Grammar Guidelines

APA Style and Grammar Guidelines This link opens in a new window
This easy to use site provides guidance for formatting citations in APA format and is managed by the American Psychological Association.
Publication manual of the American Psychological Association : the official guide to APA style ( APA Manual ) This link opens in a new window
Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2020. 7th ed.
Written as a guide for contributors to A.P.A. journals, this is also useful to students who need to know recommended forms for presenting bibliographies, footnotes, tables, and figures.
Location: Reserve -- Permanent BF76.7 .P83x 2020 ( at Reserves behind circulation desk; 4 hour loan )
APA formatting and Style Guide : General Format ( OWL ) This link opens in a new window
APA formatting : Reference List for ELECTRONIC Sources ( OWL ) This link opens in a new window

Tutorial: APA Citations 7th Edition

Visualizing Information

Resources to Assist with Information Visualization

Turn numbers into pictures!

Ever struggled with making sense of data? Data visualization turns hard to understand data into eye-catching visuals like charts and graphs that even your grandma could understand! Have you ever noticed colorful infographics or informative news charts? That's data visualization at work. Data visualisation can aid in decision-making and communication. Explore data viz with these resources we've curated for you!

Image from VisMe.com

19 Innovative Ways to Use Information Visualization Across a Variety of Fields
Helpful blog post by VisMe providing simple to understand ways to incorporate data visualizations and when its best to use the 19 types explained in the post.

10 Steps to Creating an Infographic by Stephanie B. Wilkerson (Contribution by)
ISBN: 1071817302
Publication Date: 2023-08-15
This book provides step-by-step guidance for developing high-quality infographics. outlines a user-friendly process for developing infographics with a clearly defined purpose and powerful message. The book’s "how-to" approach makes infographic creation accessible for anyone who doesn’t have a background in graphic design or a budget for a graphic designer. Author Stephanie B. Wilkerson breaks down the complex task into a series of steps and models each step through a book-long example of the evolution of an infographic.
Better Data Visualizations : A Guide for Scholars, Researchers, and Wonks by Jonathan Schwabish
ISBN: 9780231550154
Publication Date: 2021
Readers everywhere are overwhelmed with a flow of data, news, and text. Visuals can cut through the noise and make it easier for readers to recognize and recall information. Yet many researchers were never taught how to present their work visually. This book details essential strategies to create more effective data visualizations.
Data Visualization by Robert Grant
ISBN: 9781138553590
Publication Date: 2018-11-13
Gives an overview of a wide range of techniques and challenges, while staying accessible to anyone interested in working with and understanding data. Focusses on concepts and ways of thinking about data rather than algebra or computer code. Features 17 short chapters that can be read in one sitting. Includes chapters on big data, statistical and machine learning models, visual perception, high-dimensional data, and maps and geographic data.
Design for Information by Isabel Meirelles
ISBN: 9781592538065
Publication Date: 2013-10-01
The visualization process doesn't happen in a vacuum; it is grounded in principles and methodologies of design, cognition, perception, and human-computer-interaction that are combined to one's personal knowledge and creative experiences. Design for Information critically examines other design solutions —current and historic— helping you gain a larger understanding of how to solve specific problems. This book is designed to help you foster the development of a repertoire of existing methods and concepts to help you overcome design problems. Learn the ins and outs of data visualization with this informative book that provides you with a series of current visualization case studies. The visualizations discussed are analyzed for their design principles and methods, giving you valuable critical and analytical tools to further develop your design process.
Infographics by Jason Lankow; Ross Crooks; Josh Ritchie
ISBN: 9781118314043
Publication Date: 2012-09-04
With DIY functionality, Infographics: The Power of Visual Storytelling will teach you how to find stories in your data, and how to visually communicate and share them with your audience for maximum impact. Infographics will show you the vast potential to using the communication medium as a marketing tool by creating informative and shareable infographic content. Learn how to explain an object, idea, or process using strong illustration that captures interest and provides instant clarity Discover how to unlock interesting stories (in previously buried or boring data) and turn them into visual communications
Infographics for Dummies by Justin Beegel
ISBN: 9781118792384
Publication Date: 2014-06-30
the book focuses on the how-to of data, design, and distribution to create stunning, shareable infographics. Step-by-step instruction allows you to handle data like a pro, while creating eye-catching graphics with programs like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. The book walks you through the different types of infographics, explaining why they're so effective, and when they're appropriate. Ninety percent of the information transmitted to your brain is visual, so it's important to tickle the optic nerves to get people excited about your data. Infographics do just that. Much more exciting than a spreadsheet, infographics can add humor, interest, and flash while imparting real information. Putting your data in graphic form makes it more likely to be shared via Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and other social media sites, and the visual interest makes it less likely to be ignored.
Introduction to Information Visualization by Gerald Benoit
ISBN: 9781538118344
Publication Date: 2019-02-08
This book is for anyone interested in the art and science of communicating data to others. It shows readers how to transform data into something meaningful - information. Applying information visualization in research, service, teaching, and professional life requires a solid understanding of graphic design and the aesthetic along with hands-on skills and knowledge of data principles and software. This book is applicable to students in all domains, to researchers who need to understand how to create graphics that explain their data, and to professionals and administrators for professional development training.
The Power of Data Storytelling by Sejal Vora
ISBN: 9789353282905
Publication Date: 2019-04-30
The book focuses on various methods of converting dry facts and figures into interesting characters, events and relaying them in the form of a story to enable company's decision-making. The book covers all data story related aspects—art of storytelling, building, writing and visualizing. The book reflects practical corporate examples from varied fields and how data storytelling enabled the decision-making process. It does not require knowledge of sophisticated tools and introduces new, simple and application-oriented methods at every stage to take data storytelling forward.
Visual Insights by Katy Borner; David E. Polley
ISBN: 9780262526197
Publication Date: 2014-01-24
A guide to the basics of information visualization that teaches nonprogrammers how to use advanced data mining and visualization techniques to design insightful visualizations. In the age of Big Data, the tools of information visualization offer us a macroscope to help us make sense of the avalanche of data available on every subject. This book offers a gentle introduction to the design of insightful information visualizations.

The Noun Project
The Noun Project houses one of the largest collections of freely available icons. These can be a useful resource when designing info graphics

Subject Librarian

Kim Auger

she/her

Email Me

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717.871.7099

Subjects: Art & Design, Communication, Entertainment Technology, Theatre, Women's and Gender Studies

Finding Books

eBooks

EBSCOHost ebooks This link opens in a new window
700,000+ ebooks on all topics.
EBook Central This link opens in a new window
350,000 ebooks on all topics.

Books in the Library Building

University libraries are organized differently than public libraries. In a university library browsing will not be the best way for you to find books on your topic. Example: You are looking for a book on Modernism. You will find books in N (Fine Art), NK (Decorative Arts), NA (Architecture), etc. Within each of those there are subclasses of information. It's complex! It is best to search the library catalog and write down the call number and title of the books that you think best meet your needs.

Millersville University Library Catalog This link opens in a new window

If you are unsure how to find books in a university library, then watch this video. It explains how to search the library catalog to identiy a book to help with an assignment. The second part shows how to locate that book once you have the call number.

NOTE: If you view on YouTube there are timestamps to allow you to jump to spectific sections of the video.

Requesting Books & Articles from Other Libraries

Request It This link opens in a new window
Request full-text articles, chapters/sections of books, books, and conference proceedings. Look for the green squirrel when you're in a library database to request items. Articles usually arrive within 2 business days; books and other physical items typically arrive in 5 business days.
Request It (EZBorrow) This link opens in a new window
Using EZB is the fastest way to get a book that Millersville does not have. Items usually arrive within four business days at the library circulation desk in McNairy Library.

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