Finding literature for your topic

Ideas to get started:

-use Google to search for ideas based on your topic

-look for published research papers, although other documents may also be of interest

-often you will need the university library to access the full text

-ask in your online communities - others may have suggestions to help you get started

-avoid claiming that there is not much literature on your topic unless you have reliable evidence to support your claim, as it may be your search technique ( including use of the university library service) which needs improvement rather than a lack of literature

When you have found at least one research paper:

-use the bibliography or reference list to find other related papers

-use Michael Hammond's hotseat for ideas on how to use the literature

Example:

Research paper found:

Fulford, R. (2001) 'The Quality Agenda: Reviewing Traditional Baby Clinics'. Community Practitioner, 74; 10: 386–387.

You could use Google to find related papers - try putting the title into a search.

You might find:

Service provision in child health clinics

See the list of references at the end of the research papers and try to decide which ones may be relevant to you own topic.  Look for research papers rather than other types of documents.  You may need to use the unversity library to access the full text of articles in some journals.

An example of a reference list:

References

Argyris, C. and D. A. Schon (1989). Participatory action research and action science compared: A commentary. American Behavioral Scientist 32(5): 512-623.

Bell, C.  (1978)  Studying the locally powerful, in C. Bell and S. Encel (eds.) Inside the whale.  Sydney: Pergamon.

Carr, W. and S. Kemmis (1986). Becoming critical: Knowing through action research. London, Falmer Press.

Dadds, M. (1995). Passionate Enquiry & School Development: A Story about Teacher Action Research. London & Pensylvania, Falmer Press.

de Bono (1973) The CoRT Thinking Program. Cambridge: The Cognitive Research Trust

Deshler, D. and Ewart. M. Participatory action research: Traditions and assumptions. Paper posted on PARTALK-L@cornell.edu list, Tue, 9 May 1995.

Dick (1995)

Elliott, J. (1991) Action research for educational change. Buckingham: Open University Press.

Forward, D. (1989). A guide to Action Research. The management of change. P. Lomas. London, Multilingual Matters: 29-39.

Grundy, S.J. and S. Kemmis  (1982)  Educational action research in Australia:  the state of the art (an overview), in S. Kemmis (ed.) The Action Reader.   Geelong (Australia):  Deakin University Press.

Heron, J. (1966). Co-operative inquiry. Beverly Hills, Sage.

Hustler, D., T. Cassidy, et al. (1986). Action Research in Calssrooms and Schools. London, Allen and Unwin.

Jackson, P.W. (ed.) (1992) Handbook of research on curriculum. New York : Macmillan.

Kemmis, S. and R. McTaggart (1988). The action research planner. Geelong (Aust), Deakin University Press. PX375001 K31. Marquardt, M. J. (1999). Action learning in action. Palo Alto, Davies-Black.

National Invitational Conference on Action Research (1981) Joint statement from the Educational Research and Development Council National Invitational Conference on Action Research, Deakin University. Cited in Grundy and Kemmis, (1982)  Educational Action research in Australia: the state of the art (an overview), 83-97 in S. Kemmis et al (ed.) The Action Research Reader,  Geelong (Australia):  Deakin University Press.

Noffke, S. and Stevenson (1995). Educational action research: Becoming practically critical. New York, Teachers College Press.

Revons, R. W. (1971). Action learning: New techniques for managers. London, Blond & Briggs.Pollard, A and Tann, S (1993) Reflective teaching in the primary school : a handbook for the classroom. London : Cassell.

Selener, D. (1992). Participatory action research and social change: Approaches and critique., Cornell University.

Tripp, D. (1990) The ideology of educational research. Discourse: The Australian Journal of Educational Studies  10(2) 51-74. (Australia)

Tripp, D. (1990b) Researched Action, Paper prepared for course materials for Murdoch University course, E471, Action Research for Professional Development.

Tripp, D. (1993) Critical Incidents in Teaching: The Development of  Professional Judgement, London and New York: Routledge.

Tripp, D (1996) The SCOPE Program (An Action Inquiry Program for supporting professional-practical workplace learning). Education Department of WA (National Professional Development Program): Perth. (Now from Murdoch University Centre for Learning, Change and Development.)

Tyler, R. (1949)  Basic Principles of Curriculum and Instruction, Chicago, University of Chicago Press.

Winter, R. (1989). Learning from Experience: Principles and Practice in Action Research. London and Philadelphia, Falmer Press.

Zuber-Skerritt, O., Ed. (1991). Action research for change and development. Aldershot: Avebury.