Research Tips Blog
Research Tips Blog
Welcome to the Research Tips Blog! This blog focuses on sharing tips and insights for a more efficient and effective research process, covering a wide range of topics such as research methods, the latest trends, and practical strategies that iSchool faculty and students may find useful in their research.
The blog is part of iSchool’s Center for Information Research and Innovation (CIRI). It’s updated monthly and if you have any questions or comments, please contact Dr. Lili Luo.
Using Generative AI Tools in Assisting Literature Research
Published: November 13, 2024
AI tools have become valuable allies for researchers, especially in conducting literature reviews. By automating time-consuming tasks like summarizing studies, extracting key themes, and identifying influential papers, AI streamlines the review process, allowing researchers to focus on analysis and interpretation. Tools like Consensus, Scite, and Elicit help synthesize complex data, provide evidence-based summaries, and even reveal emerging trends. This combination of efficiency and depth is transforming how literature reviews are conducted, making it easier to manage vast volumes of
Autoethnography: A Deeply Personal Method for Qualitative Research
Published: October 16, 2024
Autoethnography is a qualitative research method that blends elements of autobiography and ethnography to explore the researcher’s personal experiences in relation to broader social and cultural contexts. It goes beyond traditional ethnography by incorporating the researcher’s own reflections as part of the data, thereby revealing how personal stories intersect with larger social issues. This method is not only a way to collect data but also an approach that critiques the boundaries between the researcher and the researched, emphasizing subjectivity and self-reflection.
Photovoice: A Unique Participatory Research Method for Library and Information Sciences
Published: September 25th, 2024
Photovoice is an innovative research method that integrates photography and narratives to empower participants in expressing their experiences and perspectives on specific social issues. It was first introduced by Caroline Wang and Mary Ann Burris in the 1990s as a participatory action research tool, often applied in public health, education, and social science research. Participants take photographs related to the study topic, and these visuals are then used as prompts for discussion, analysis, and presentation, providing a voice to marginalized or underrepresented groups.