Navigating SAGE Research Methods 101

This series of posts corresponds to the 2018 SAGE Research Methods Open House. If you would like to access the SAGE e-books, articles, case studies, videos, and datasets mentioned in these posts, explore SAGE Research Methods with a free trial.

I admit to being a library nerd. When I outgrew my local branch, I cut high school to spend days wandering around Enoch Pratt Library in Baltimore. Later, the Cornell University Libraries enchanted me: I was drawn to archival research and white-glove rare materials. When libraries became collections of databases, efficiency replaced perusal. Sometimes, of course, we know what we want and we need it right this minute. But other times we need the chance to dig and discover. SRM is a virtual library where you can readily zero in on a known title, or get lost in the stacks.Log into SRM and you will see many navigation options. I will point to search options on the top page, and in subsequent Open House posts I will highlight other options and community features.You are familiar with the search interface for conventional databases- usually a basic box with an option to add search parameters. Similarly, on the SRM opening page you can enter keywords, terms, or titles and get started that way.

SRM Search box

If you click the

Advanced

button, you will see a wide range of choices that allow you to narrow or broaden your search. You also have the chance to search within or across disciplines, and to specify the type(s) of resources that interest you. You also have the chance to search within or across disciplines, and to specify the type(s) of resources that interest you.

Let's go back to the top page, because there are other search routes you can take. At the top of the page you will find two buttons:

Br

owse

, or

Research tools

. Click

Browse

, and you will be presented with three categories: topic, discipline, or content type. Click

Res

earch Tools, 

and you can choose from four unique SRM tools: the Methods Map, Reading Lists, Project Planner, and Which Stats Test. We'll explore each of these in future posts.The front page also gives you a chance to search by your own research need. Your answer to the question "What do you want to do?" will take you into distinct collections of books, videos, case studies, or data sets.Take a look around! Then stay tuned for more SRM Open House posts, with in-depth looks at the resources and suggestions for how to use them in instruction, or to guide your research design, conduct, or dissemination of your results.  Use the comment area fto post your questions.

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