General & Multi-disciplinary
Introduction
Strong writing starts with strong research. The quality of your sources shapes the depth and credibility of your work. This guide outlines strategies and tools to streamline each stage—from searching to citing.
Why use research tools?
Tools don't replace your judgment—they amplify it.
- Save time: filter fast for relevant, recent results.
- Stay organized: collect, tag, and store sources consistently.
- Evaluate reliability: separate peer-reviewed work from weak sources.
- Avoid plagiarism: track quotes/paraphrases and generate citations.
Online Databases & Library Access
Start with scholarly databases; use filters (year, subject, study type) to keep evidence current.
Tip: Your university library often provides full-text access—sign in through the library portal for paywalled content.
Citation & Reference Managers
Always double-check auto-formatted references—software isn't perfect.
Notes & Organization
Paraphrase as you take notes—avoid pasting chunks of text to reduce plagiarism risk later.
Plagiarism Checking
Data Analysis & Visualization
Research Writing Support Tools
Grammarly / ProWritingAid
Refine grammar, clarity, and style—then verify with your judgment.
Grammarly ProWritingAid
Evaluate Sources (CRAAP Test)
- Currency: Is the information up-to-date for your field?
- Relevance: Does it directly address your research question?
- Authority: Who wrote it and what are their credentials?
- Accuracy: Is it evidence-based, peer-reviewed, and well-cited?
- Purpose: Is there bias? What's the goal of the publication?
Stay Organized
Project habits
- Create a research log (databases, search terms, results).
- Back up notes and PDFs to cloud storage.
- Use folders/tags by topic and argument.
- Track milestones: outline → draft → revision.
When to Ask for Help
Ask a librarian or tutor if you can't locate peer-reviewed sources, feel overwhelmed by volume, or need help refining search terms and research questions.
Our Mission
Research is discovery. Tools make the journey smoother, but your critical thinking shapes the results. Build habits that scale—from locating evidence to presenting it clearly and ethically—so your confidence grows across courses and into your career.