Research Skills for Architecture, Design & Planning
For example, if the assignment topic is:
"Sustainable development of infrastructure in Third World countries"
three main ideas, concepts or themes could be:
Analyse your topic
Research plan: 1. What information do I need?
Use a copy of the Library's Research Plan [ .dot format] or [ .rtf format] to follow these steps:a. identify the main ideas and concepts related to your assignment
The main ideas, concepts or themes are the basis of your essay plan.For example, if the assignment topic is:
"Sustainable development of infrastructure in Third World countries"
three main ideas, concepts or themes could be:
| First Concept | sustainable development | |
| Second Concept | infrastructure | |
| Third Concept | Third World countries | |
b. make a list of ALL possible related terms, synomyms and keywords that describe each concept
| First Concept | sustainable development | Write down a definition or a description of "sustainable development". Write down similar or alternative phrases. Write down specific examples of sustainable development. |
| Second Concept | infrastructure | Write down a definition or description of "infrastructure". Write down similar or alternative phrases. Write down examples of different types of infrastructure. |
| Third Concept | Third World countries | Look for alternative phrases, eg "developing countries". Write down examples of Third World countries or regions, etc |
c. use a dictionary, encyclopaedia or thesaurus to find:
- definitions
- alternative words, phrases and synonyms
- alternative spellings
- Look for different spellings used in different regions.
- colour or color
- globalisation or globalization
- Check for different terms used in different countries:
- urban planning (Australian)
- city planning (American)
- town planning (British)
-
Use dictionaries, encyclopaedias and thesauri online
- Art & Architecture Thesaurus Online (The Getty Research Institute)
- Dictionaries, Thesauri, Phrase Finders & Acronyms (University of Sydney Library Quick Reference)
- Use the Library catalogue to find reference books
- keyword search examples
Go deeper - more information on related topics
- Searching [3pp. pdf] - print friendly summary
- Types of materials
- Types of information - primary & secondary sources
- Learn about the Getty Vocabularies. The Getty Research Institute