Before you start

     1. Analysing your topic
     2. Finding keywords
3. Different types of information
4. Off-campus access

Analysing your topic

Main ideas or concepts
Take a moment to consider your topic. What are the main ideas or concepts? Some topics are hard to analyse; try to rephrase it in your own words, or turn it into a question. For example: 'Getting rid of unwanted emissions from engines' can be rephrased as: How can we eliminate (or reduce or control) toxic emissions from engines?
The main concepts are:elimination (or reduction or control) and toxic emissions and engines.
What are you asked to do?
You also need to understand exactly what is required of you. Look for instructional words: discuss, compare, describe etc. For example 'Discuss recent media coverage about ...' will tell you what type of material to look for.

Finding keywords

Understand the concepts
Use dictionaries or encyclopaedias to get a clear definition of the terms. As well as general English dictionaries, try subject dictionaries or encyclopaedias for engineering or science. They can give more in-depth definitions and background information. For example a search in the library catalogue by SUBJECT for 'materials - encyclopedias' finds a number of useful reference books on materials science. You can also use an introductory textbook for your subject area to get an understanding of the concepts.
Alternative terms
It's useful to find alternative terms or synonyms for your concepts. This gives you more options in your search. In the above example, air pollution is a good alternative for toxic emissions. If possible, use a thesaurus to find synonyms. Alternative spellings should also be considered: mechanisation as well as mechanization.

Different types of information

Often the topic of your assignment will give an indication what kind of information is required. Do you need recent, up-to-date information? historic information? statistical information? an overview? a critical review? books? newspaper or journal articles? What level is required: journals contain articles which are more in-depth than popular magazines.
We also distinguish between primary, secondary and tertiary sources. Primary sources of information are usually research reports or journal articles, which publish original research. Books are usually termed secondary sources, they build on and can refer you to primary or original sources. Tertiary sources can be publications such as encyclopaedias or textbooks, which provide an overview of an area of research.

For a more entertaining way to look at this see the Five Steps to Better Research tutorial by the Colorado State University Libraries. It only takes a few minutes.

Off-campus access

When you try to access information provided by the Library from home, work, or anywhere else off campus, you may be asked to authenticate yourself. This applies to E-Reserve, e-journals and electronic databases for instance. It is similar to logging into MyUni with your UniKey. Learn more about this.

next page  The next part of the tutorial is about finding books                                             Your feedback?
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