Technology has dramatically changed the process of research over the past couple of decades. Once a process dominated by paper and filing cabinets, it is now a digital process with portable digital filing cabinets on a laptop. In addition to the advances in digital storage and retrieval of data on the local computer, the modern digital scholar can conduct an entire literature review online without leaving home.

For a larger PDF view click on the mindmap.

Each researcher has their own unique working style and preferences when it comes to software applications. I use a Mac laptop for most all research tasks and I have a variety of software packages to support my virtual working style.

Notebooks and Journals

First, and possibly the most important tool for the digital scholar is a digital notebook. I personally use Evernote to keep track of any ideas, thoughts, sources, notes, etc. associated with my research projects. I also use my digital notebook as a journal to keep track of the project as it evolves from a vague notion through a final journal article. One big advantage is the notebook will also sync with additional computers and mobile devices (e.g., iPhone, iPad). And, one can access their files from any computer via the web.  In addition, I carry a low tech analog paper Moleskine notebook with me most everywhere I go. You never know when two or more synapses might connect and generate an idea or two.

Concept Diagrams

As a visual learner I depend on good diagrams to understand and explain my topics, concepts, theories, etc. I often begin with a mindmap like the one above. I now use iMindMap  to create mindmaps. I have tried many mind mapping software applications and iMindMap is by far the one I prefer. I eventually develop conceptual frameworks to visually depict the variables, relationships, and context of the research projects. I find Microsoft Powerpoint (available for both Mac and PC) meets most of my needs for diagramming conceptual frameworks. However, I now create most of my diagram in Omni Graffle for Mac. If more detail is needed I often will switch to Microsoft Visio which is by far the best flow charting application that I have found.

Literature Review

Most research projects are supported by a large number of journal articles. I personally use EndNote to organize my references, store PDFs of the articles and my notes, and then publish a reference list in a variety of formats (e.g., APA). While tables in both Microsoft Excel and Word are useful for analyzing the various theories and research findings I have found that NVivo 8, a Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) software package is very helpful not only for analyzing the literature but also for enfolding the literature into the analysis of case studies, etc. 

Qualitative Analysis

There are several good Qualitative Data Analysis software packages available. I personally use NVivo 8 from QSR International to analyze qualitative data. I chose NVivo for three reasons - the interface was familiar (similar to Outlook); the database file is a single file making it easy to share and collaborate on a project; and there are easy tutorials (scroll to bottom of page) available online to teach yourself NVivo.

Quantitative Analysis

The two most common quantitative dat analysis software applications used in social science are SPSS and Microsfot’s Excel spreadsheet program. SPSS is a powerful statistical application that with additional modules can handle most all social science quantitative data analysis problems. On the other hand, Microsoft Excel is often all that is needed for many social science research projects. If you are using Excel I recommend that you visit Dr Jim Mirabella’s website for a variety of Excel templates that will make the task much easier.  

Administrative Tools

The digital life of the modern scholar is enabled by a variety of administrative applications including: Email, Project Management, Instant Messaging, Online teleconferences and video conferences as well as the basic word processing programs. Most are familiar with and use email. However, few researchers that I know actually use project management software to manage their research projects. If you are already familiar with project management practices then Microsoft Project may be very helpful for both planning and managing your research project. Many researchers today work with colleagues or mentors across the country and the world. Skype provides free computer to computer teleconference, video conference, and instant message service via the internet. All you need is a free account, a computer, a headset, and a (preferably high speed) internet connection.

In addition, it seems that inevitably adult learners and researchers lose files due to technical issues (e.g., failed hard drives). To mitigate this issue I use Dropbox to store my files. You can get a couple of GBs for free but if you are like me you will find that you need much more space. The file stay on your hard drive AND sync with Dropbox. This allows you to have multiple computers and mobile devices with the latest version of your files. In addition, you can get to your files from any computer via the web.

Writing

For Mac users there is a very useful application to assist the organization and process of writing scholarly papers, dissertations etc. I personally use Scrivener to assist the writing process and in particular the literature analysis process.