How do I choose the right tool?
Start from the tools page and search for the task you're working on. The search matches tool names, descriptions, and categories.
Ways to narrow it down
- Search by task. Type what you need, such as "literature review," "sample size," or "codebook."
- Open a comparison guide. The tools page has collapsible comparisons for five areas: Research Design, Statistical and Data Analysis, Qualitative Research, Academic Writing and Publishing, and Dissertation and Thesis. Each lists what a tool is best for, its difficulty, the time it takes, and its export formats.
- Read the tool page. Every tool has its own page with a description and a feature list, so you can check that it fits before you start.
If you're not sure where to begin
- Unsure about your overall approach? Try the Research Methodology Selector.
- Unsure which statistical test to run? Try the Statistical Selector Tool.
If you're planning a whole project rather than a single task, the Research Assistant guides you through the steps of a qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods study.