Doing Academic Research

Doing Academic Research walks readers through scholarly inquiry in the humanities, social sciences and business in a compact, well-organized format. Many newcomers find the research process confusing and draining, and with uneven training they can feel swamped, which makes it harder to produce strong work. This book is built as a hands-on manual rather than a discussion of research theory. It shows how to set up a working routine, identify sources of support, and carry a project through to completion.

The guide recognizes that researchers differ in skill, interest, discipline and approach to knowledge. Instead of covering a single method in depth, it explains how to choose a suitable method for a given project and how to apply it well. Real-world examples, key takeaways, and practical tips drawn from working scholars make the material approachable.

The book suits content-area and research methods courses, and it also serves graduate students and independent scholars who hope to publish their findings. Supplementary online material is available under the Support Materials tab.