LibGuides: SOHP Essentials: Technology Resources

Citation Software

Citation software can automatically save bibliographic information from a database or website. We recommend students start collecting and organizing their websites, articles, and other resources using RefWorks from the beginning of their program. This will be invaluable when writing your dissertation/final project, especially when writing your literature review.

RefWorks
The Library recommends using RefWorks for the following reasons:
1. We provide troubleshooting and instructional support for RefWorks, including our RefWorks Library Workshop Video, RefWorks Quick Tutorial Videos, and RefWorks FAQs.
2. RefWorks allows for direct citation export from the majority of Library databases and resources.
3. You will retain your personal RefWorks account beyond graduation from NU.
4. EndNote is not currently compatible with Microsoft Word 2016 for Mac.

Data Analysis

Doctoral students have access to NVivo and SPSS for free to conduct data analysis in their dissertation research.

NVivo is used for qualitative data analysis and SPSS is used for quantitative data analysis. If this software is not appropriate for your study, work with your chair to identify the best software for your data analysis.

SPSS - Quantitative Analysis
SPSS is used for higher level statistical analysis, very useful for techniques such as ANOVA or various types of regression. It can also be used for various modeling techniques such as HLM or ARIMA. SPSS is made and sold by IBM, and can be used with almost any type of data file. It is also useful for creating graphics of data.

Visit the Student Technology Resource Center in the University Services Module of NCUOne to access the software for free.
NVivo - Qualitative Data Management and Analysis and mixed methods research
NVivo is used for non-numerical inter relational databases to store, organize, code, and analyze qualitative data. It requires text based data.

Visit the Student Technology Resource Center in the University Services Module of NCUOne to access the software for free.

Resource Management

As a student you will encounter hundreds of resources relevant to your dissertation, including articles, websites, and even videos. Saving these is a way that makes them easy to find later is a key to writing your dissertation. Below are two good resources for saving, annotating, and cataloguing your resources.

Evernote
Evernote is the most widely used notetaking and resource management app. It can be used to organize your tasks, as well as download resources that you can annotate, catalogue, and sync across your various devices. Take a look at this tutorial on how to use Evernote to organize research: https://youtu.be/budjS8M20z8
Mendeley
Mendeley is a free reference manager and academic social network that can help you organize your research, collaborate with others online, and discover the latest research. Here is what you can do with Mendeley:
• Save resources, such as documents
• Annotative resources
• Automatically generate bibliographies
• Import papers from other research software
• Access your papers from anywhere online
• Read papers on the go with the iPad app

Graphic Organizers

Visual planning tools can be used to map out the dissertation, create connections between themes in the literature review and collaboratively share your ideas with your chair.

Cacoo
Cacoo offers a wide selection of templates and shapes including flowcharts, wireframes, network diagrams, org charts, and more.
Bubbl
Bubbl creates mind maps which are graphical representation of ideas and concepts. It's a visual thinking tool for structuring information, helping you to better understand, remember and generate new ideas.
Realtime Board
An interactive tool that can be shared with your committee to help in brainstorming and planning the literature review for Chapter 2 and the research design process for Chapter 3.

SOHP Essentials

Citation Software

Data Analysis

Resource Management

Graphic Organizers

Was this resource helpful?