How do I find quality information?
How do I know where to start looking?
When you are new to a research topic, it can be difficult to find the best sources of information. A good place to start is your local library. Many libraries have excellent cataloguing systems that you can search, as well as other useful resources. Your library may have the following resources:
- Guidance from librarians - to help you find the resources you need. Librarians are trained in information gathering skills. Ask your local librarian for help, it could save you many hours of fruitless searching
- A searchable library catalogue
- OPAC - A system that searches the library catalogues of more than one library. A book you need may be available in another library. Your librarian may be able to arrange an inter-library loan, so ask for guidance
- Access to online information sources - searchable academic journals, subject specialist databases
- Learning Resource Centres (LRCs). Many colleges have an LRC. The LRC staff are usually specialists in library and information resources, multimedia resources and student support.
- Subject-specific portals. Portals collect together links to a number of relevant resources in a particular subject
Remember that each college library chooses which databases it subscribes to, and which services it provides. Many of these services are expensive and your college may not be able to provide them all.
Example
Kate visits her local librarian. She asks if there are sources of history information that could help her to research Queen Elizabeth I's reign. The librarian directs Kate to a website that lists all the information that is available to students in a number of different subjects, including a history-specific database. Kate works through this list and identifies the databases she thinks will be useful.
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