I. Topic analysis, search strategy, search terms

Identifying and refining a research topic

Identifying relevant information sources

Brainstorming search terms

Constructing effective searches using operators ("and," "or," "not")

II. Finding articles

Use the databases below to find articles, books, book chapters, and other publications on your topic (they may or may not be available full text online, and may or may not be owned by JHU).

Databases that index the literature of education and related social sciences:
	The Hermes system is no longer available. You will be redirected to its replacement, JHSearch, shortly, or click here to go there immediately. Please update your bookmarks.
	The Hermes system is no longer available. You will be redirected to its replacement, JHSearch, shortly, or click here to go there immediately. Please update your bookmarks.
	The Hermes system is no longer available. You will be redirected to its replacement, JHSearch, shortly, or click here to go there immediately. Please update your bookmarks.
Other databases of interest:
	The Hermes system is no longer available. You will be redirected to its replacement, JHSearch, shortly, or click here to go there immediately. Please update your bookmarks.
	The Hermes system is no longer available. You will be redirected to its replacement, JHSearch, shortly, or click here to go there immediately. Please update your bookmarks.
	Find additional databases to search
	Search across several education databases with JHSearch

III. Finding books 

Access to books and other full-length materials (i.e., not articles) owned by the JHU Libraries.  What to do if you need something we don't own.

Find books in the JHU Libraries about action research in education (will open in a new window).

Browse action research subject headings in the JHU Libraries catalog (will open in a new window).

IV. Evaluating information on the Web

Anyone can publish on the Web -- how do you determine the validity of information you find?  Is it suitable for your purposes?

V. Citing sources

APA format and lots more.  Try RefWorks, an online personal database and bibliography creator.

VI. Other useful links 

• How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography. Cornell University Library.
• Participatory Action Research Network (PARnet).  A "knowledge gateway for practitioners and scholars of action research around the world."  Sponsored by Cornell University.
• Action Research International.  A refereed online journal of action research sponsored by the Southern Cross Institute of Action Research within the Graduate College of Management at Southern Cross University, and by Southern Cross University Press.
• Action Research Resources.  Links to conference abstracts, listservs, and other resources supporting action research.

Have questions? Is this page helpful?  Email me.

Education & Counseling Research Guide