Alden Library has purchased Sage Research Methods, a research methods resource, to facilitate student and faculty research and instruction, according to university news.
The Sage Research Methods package provides resources on qualitative research methods, including over 500 downloadable datasets, codebooks, and instructional materials that provide walkthroughs of data analysis.
The Sage Research Methods package also includes resources for quantitative research, including software guides to familiarize yourself with common data analysis tools such as SPSS, R, Stata, and Python.
According to Data Services Librarian Jonathan Brier, Sage Research Methods allows students to learn research methods from a collection of instructional materials.
“There are a lot more opportunities to practice assignments,” Brier says. “Instructors who are actually creating assignments have a lot of resources where they can get example data sets and techniques, and students have access to that.”
Brier said the Sage Research Methods package provides material that might not be covered in college classes.
“There’s technical content that doesn’t necessarily get covered in depth in class unless it’s an advanced class, because (the university) doesn’t have the manpower to cover certain methods in depth,” Briar said.
According to Brier, Sage Research Methods also provides information beyond research methods, such as research ethics.
Brier said the university purchased the Sage Research Methods core and the data set Diversifying and Decolonizing Research.
“This is a different way of thinking about how research has impact, and it’s an important approach to thinking about how you’re actually impacting subjects when you’re doing research,” Brier said.
According to Bryer, the package provides research methods and ethics and incorporates research conceptualization.
“We have a project planner that helps you conceptualize how to structure your research,” Brier says. “It basically guides you through a general linear path for thinking about your research.”
Wanyi Liu, a first-year doctoral student majoring in mass communications, said she wished she had resources like Sage Research Methods during her master’s degree.
“I’ve written a master’s thesis before, but it was hard,” Liu said. “Conducting research requires a lot of skills and knowledge. The courses I took before were helpful, but they didn’t fully prepare me to conduct research independently. I wish I had received more guidance during my research.”
First-year journalism master’s student Jack Lawler is a novice researcher who believes resources like Sage Research Methods will help his experience.
“We believe that research methods resources like this will be extremely beneficial for students and faculty,” Lawler said. “Research can be a little intimidating for people who have never done it before, so having access to all these resources along with the tutorials is extremely beneficial.”
According to university news, OU will have access to Sage Research Methods packages, resources and updates through 2029. University members can access Sage Research Methods through the Ohio University Libraries website.
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