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Research Skills for Architecture, Design & Planning

Plan your research

The Library has designed a Research Plan (literature search checklist) for you to use with each assignment.

We recommend that you use the Research Plan as you work through this Research Skills tutorial.

There are two versions of the Research Plan available from the Library's website:

• Research Plan [.pdf format]
  • use this format to open and print a hard copy
• Research Plan [.rtf format]
  • this version will open in your word processor (eg. MS Word)
  • you can edit this file (ie type your assignment keywords and search notes)
  • save it to your USB flash drive or to your personal computer

Remember: use your browser BACK button to come back to this Research Skills web page.

The Research Plan will assist you to:

• prepare detailed notes for your first assignment
• systematically document your research strategy
• record and review the results of all your literature searches

What information do I need?

This is the first question on the Research Plan. Analyse your assignment topic so that you can:

• identify the main ideas and concepts



• make a list of the terms or keywords that describe your topic



• use a dictionary, encyclopaedia or thesaurus to find:
  • definitions
  • alternative words and phrases
  • synonyms
  • alternative spellings

Next - Analyse your topic - use your own assignment to complete the Research Plan checklist

Go deeper - more information on related topics

• WriteSite - online modules on essay planning and writing [University of Sydney authentication required]

More help - Ask A Librarian