Research Methods for Human Services   Tags: literature_review, ozinam_scholars, research_methods, tropnas  

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The problems one deals with in Human Services can have various facets, requiring that you execute research across disciplines.  The links below represent some (but not all) of the disciplines that may inform your research.

Exploring the "literature" for a multidisciplinary topic may require that you start by investigating new terminology. Keep in mind that different disciplines may use different words to describe the same phenomena, or a word may mean something very specific within a discipline, in contrast to how it is used in everyday language. To become familiar with word usage in a discipline, look it up in in a "subject reference source "first (Subject Encyclopedia or Subject Dictionary) to untangle terminology, and use the "suggested subject" links within the databases to find related materials/ headings.

Some tips for exploratory research on a multidisciplinary topic in the databases: When doing cross-disciplinary research 1) be ready to use both multidisciplinary databases (wide but shallow) and supplement that search in additional subject-specific databases (gives more depth)  2)  be ready with synonyms for a given word when in executing a search in another "discipline"  3) if you  are looking for an overview or for specific comparative elements look for articles that have some of the following "keywords" in the title, e.g.:  "overview," "review," "case study," "policy,"  "survey of the literature."  Alternatively, if looking for a specific moral appraisal, try "ethics," "professional guidelines" "professional code" "comparative analysis," "social justice" 4) look at the  bibliography/references section of an article if you see a reference that looks helpful. 5) look for indicators of articles or thinkers who are "important" on that topic, preferably in more than one discipline. (e.g.: perhaps the article, work or author have been cited extensively; this information can be found in Citation indexes--if available--and Google scholar).

What to use, and when: Databases and catalogs are good for finding the breadth and depth of the information, articles and books that available to you when you are armed with a topic; GoogleScholar (federated searching with "Check for Full" text engaged) and WorldCat are good for finding where in the world something is, when you are armed with a citation.

Different disciplines use different citation styles. By importing references into RefWorks, you can automatically generate an MLA bibliography more easily for works from various disciplines -- you can then switch them all over to APA or a specific Journal style by choosing a different "output style". In addition RefWorks can help you 1) organize your research and 2) add comments in the abstract field to create annotated bibliographies.

If you get stuck or would like more help, contact any of our subject or reference library faculty, we are ready to help, in person, by phone, email or SMS service!

Some criteria for evaluating the scholarly nature of research articles are listed below. Although the criteria are geared toward experiemental sciences, the same general qualities can be found in Arts and Humanities research resources as well:

• Theory/Hypothesis -- A question or problem
• Literature review -- A thorough search of previous research that addresses the problem (or ones like them)
• Methodology -- A guideline explaining of method used to gather data (details about example questions, experiment, analysis of letters)
• Data -- Raw data and organized data -- the information that was gathered and organized and/or "coded"
• Interpretation of Data -- Analysis of gathered data in relation to hypothesis and in relation to previous research
• Conclusion/Findings -- summary of research conducted, and significance in relation to the field. Some proposal for further research.
• Bibliography/References -- from both literature and analysis portions

Please note that APA has a new 6th edition (2009).  Although the university-sponsored sites offer helpful guidelines, please refer to the APA guide (available at the Reference Desk) or the APA website for most recent details.

Our librarians are ready to assist you with your research 7 days a week, so stop by the reference desk at the library if you need some help. If you’re not on campus, you can call us at 718-990-6727 (Queens) or go to or use our AskUs Service to submit a question and we’ll email you an answer.

In addition to services at the Reference Desk, you can set up a one-on-one consultation with a librarian who will advise you on effective research strategies.  Each St. John's librarian has an additional subject specialty and is available to participate in your session, when needed.  

For further information, please contact: Prof. Lucy Heckman, (718) 990-6571.