AUT’s Library organises licences to all sorts of academic databases for AUT staff and students. This gives us full access to some of the best research resources in the world.
Contrary to popular belief, not all databases are just collections of research papers. Some bring together videos, tutorials, theses, historical papers, and all sorts of other materials. Here are my picks of the best gems in the database collection.
NB. AUT staff/students should navigate to these databases via the AUT Library databases tab to gain access.
SAGE Research Methods
SAGE Research Methods is an incredibly comprehensive resource for any researcher who uses a methodology (i.e. all of us). Features include:
- A library of almost a thousand digital books on all sorts of different methodologies
- Videos explaining key concepts, which you can browse by method or by discipline
- Case studies detailing how other researchers have used various methods
- Qualitative and quantitative datasets on which to practice your data analysis
- A project planner tool which guides you through the stages of a research project
- Access to SAGE Stats, which provides downloadable datasets (United States data only)
- A methods map showing how various methods are related
If you’re getting to grips with a new method, try using the methods map first. Each method in the map includes links to resources so that you can really learn deeply about your new method while understanding it in the context of related methods. Here’s what the map looks like for the topic of meta-analysis:
Lynda.com
Lynda.com hosts video tutorials on a huge range of topics. Its focus is much wider than research; which means that you can learn skills that might not be taught as part of a research degree. For instance, if you need to learn a new coding language for your research, or you need to use graphic design software to create complex figures, Lynda can help you to learn it. Here are some courses that are particularly relevant for researchers:
- SPSS for Academic Research
- Academic Research Foundations: Quantitative (introductory level)
- EndNote Essential Training
- Learning NVivo
- Time Management Fundamentals
- Learning Speed Reading
- R for Data Science
- SQL for Statistics
There are thousands more available, so go searching for what you need.
Papers Past
This database from the National Library of New Zealand collects digital copies of local newspapers, magazines, journals, letters, parliamentary papers, and even diaries of notable people. There are millions of pages available, giving an incredible amount of access to New Zealand’s written history and culture.
A particular highlight is the digitised collection of the Transactions of the Royal Society, which gives an insight into the kind of scientific research that has been performed and reported in New Zealand historically. (This is also a great resource if you need to find scientific information specific to the New Zealand context.)
You can even view the old advertisements that ran in the original printed newspapers and magazines – great for media researchers!
