This section of the RCBN website contains resources and links to support research capacity-building. It includes access to: a catalogue of non-RCBN resources compiled by the RCBN (see below); resources commissioned, developed and/or prepared by the RCBN; RCBN Recommended References, including access to a downloadable database of methodological references; RCBN Publications, including access to the RCBN journal Building Research Capacity; and links to other key organisations in teaching and learning research. Use the menu to the left to navigate around these pages.

RESEARCH RESOURCES CATALOGUE
What is the Research Resources Catalogue?
How to use the Research Resources Catalogue?

Research resources by subject:

Research Design (about this subject)
Data Collection Methods (about this subject)
Secondary Data (about this subject)
Data Analysis (about this subject)
Bibliographic Resources (about this subject)
Impact and Dissemination (about this subject)
Career Development Needs (about this subject)

What is the Research Resources Catalogue?
This is a web-based catalogue of resources relating to educational research compiled by the RCBN. In addition to methods training courses it includes publications, software and other resources available directly from other organisations, typically via their web sites. The resources catalogued here are drawn from across the social sciences, although we attempt to emphasise their educational research relevance. We also very much welcome other suggestions for this Research Resources Catalogue. If you have any such thoughts, ideas or suggestions to improve and extend this catalogue then please contact us. (Return to top)

How to use the Research Resources Catalogue?
The Research Resources Catalogue is presented in two ways. First all resources are listed alphabetically. Secondly, the Research Resource Catalogue has been subdivided by 'Subject area' - reflecting different parts of research methodology and career development. Each resource has then been classified a 'Resource type' - indicating the form that this resource is provided. A resource may cover more than one 'subject area' and/or 'resource type' and so will be listed under several headings. As with any catalogue of resources this is neither exhaustive nor can the categories be easily defined. When searching for specific resources users are therefore advised to browse related 'subject areas' in the catalogue. If you cannot find what you are looking for you can search by keyword across the whole of the RCBN website. (Return to top).

Subject areas

Research Design (return to top)
Resources relating to general research design issues are included in this section. This covers specific areas such as sampling, for example, but also discussions and debate about wider issues relating to methodology.

Data Collection Methods (return to top)
All resources specifically focusing on particular methods of data collection (rather than analysis) are listed under this subject area. 'Data collection' is defined in its widest sense but, where possible, research design and data analysis resources have been separated for inclusion in their respective categories.

Secondary Data (return to top)
This section is primarily concerned with documenting sources of secondary data available to the educational research community. These may take many different forms, from large-scale numerical datasets to ethnographic observational accounts. Resources addressing the collection or analysis of such data are not included in this section but can be found under other subject headings.

Data Analysis (return to top)
Resources in this section are those that are specifically related to the analysis of all types of data. This includes the analysis of text and visual data as well as numerical and statistical analysis. Although issues of research design and data collection may impact on analytic strategies, where possible resources in this section are primarily concerned with analysis.

Bibliographic Resources (return to top)
Included under this subject heading are not only databases and literature retrieval systems such as ERIC and SOSIG, but also resources relating to all stages of reviewing and writing about educational research literature. This includes referencing software such as EndNote and other resources which are in any way linked to reading and writing documents. Websites and other resources that are predominantly useful because the bibliography or documents they contain, but are linked to a specific methodological area, are not included in this section and can be found under other headings, with the 'resource type' listed as 'Publications and References'.

Impact and Dissemination (return to top)
This section includes all resources concerned with disseminating research findings and contributing to (and assessing/evaluating) their impact. Resources relating to debates and discussion surrounding issues of dissemination and strategies for impact are also covered.

Career Development Needs (return to top)
This section includes information on resources relating to the career development of educational researchers. This does not include methods or research training, which are listed in other sections but, rather, other aspects of professional development.

Resource Types

Training courses
Organisations regularly offering methods related training courses will fall into this category. One-off training courses will not usually be included in the Research Resources Catalogue but will be posted on the RCBN website's Noticeboard.

On-line research resources
Resources that are available to use on-line (or be downloaded) are included in this category. The emphasis is on interactive resources, rather than simply information posted on websites.

Other organisations
Research related organisation that are judged to be important, but which do not offer 'resource types' covered under the other category headings are listed here. This does not include very large, well-known organisations, such as the ESRC, BERA and EPPI-Centre, for example, whose details are available from the Other Links section of the website.

Software
Software available for download on-line is included in this section, in addition to websites or organisations providing information about software packages useful for educational and social research.

Publications and References
Websites publishing material that is available to view on-line or download are included under this heading. Organisations listing references of their own material or that published in related areas are also included in this section.