Research using IT

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The computer is a fantastics tool to help you research assignments. Find out how to use your IT skills to further your studies in the following section.

• Let the computer help you research
• How the computer can assist you in your writing
• Organise your electronic files

Let the computer help you research:
To see a basic example of how a computer can help you for a typical pattern of research, please see the pdf.

How the computer can assist you in your writing:
There are many ways in which the computer can help you smooth the way when you are writing your research paper.

For example: function: double or single line spacing

Line spacing is one of the essentials of display in a research paper and both spacing styles are needed. The document as a whole is normally in double line spacing and a lengthy quotation must be presented not only in its own paragraph but also in single line spacing. To put work in double line spacing:

1. Highlight paragraph/s that need to be in double.
2. Hold down the control key on the keyboard and tap the number 2 (for double) at the top of the keyboard. If you want single, repeat above but tap the number 1.

Organise your electronic files
Let us say that your research was about social work practice and you had carried out several one-to-one interviews, attended a network meeting with the permission of the local social services, and looked at group working. You  had also gathered 50 completed questionnaires. Your computer directory might look something like the figure below.

In order to use folders or directories you need to get to grips with your computer's system.

If you are using Microsoft for example one of the ways you can do all this is in Windows Explorer. When in Explorer, create new files by selection file, then new, then folder.

File > New > Folder

Once you have set up the folders, you need to practise saving to and retrieving from them.

To save to a folder with Microsoft:

1. File
2. Save (or Save As if saving, updating the file and wishing to keep
original intact)
3. Save in (choose relevant computer drive, for example C)
4. Choose the relevant folder by double clicking on it
5. Key in appropriate file name
6. Click on Save

To retrieve work already saved from a folder:
1. Open
2. Look in (choose relevant computer drive, for example C)
3. Choose the relevant folder by double clicking on it
4. Double click on appropriate file name

The earlier in the research process that you master using folders, the easier your research process and eventual analysis will be.

This content has been written by Hilary Coombes, author of Research Using IT .