How do I find quality information?
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. 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 subject librarian for help, it could save you many hours of fruitless searching
- A searchable library catalogue
- Library web pages that provide guidance on recommended resources for particular subjects
- Access to online information sources - searchable academic journals, subject specialist databases
- Subject-specific portals. Portals collect together links to a number of relevant resources in a particular subject
Remember that each university or college library chooses which databases it subscribes to, and which services it provides. Many of these services are expensive and your university/college may not be able to provide them all.
Example
Rachel visits her subject librarian. She asks if there are sources of biological information that could help her to research genetic engineering. The librarian directs Rachel to a webpage that lists all the recommended sources of information that is available to students who are studying different subjects, including biology. The librarian mentions that when you are starting out doing a search that there is now a new method of searching called cross-searching, which helps identify the most appropriate sources to use. Rachel decides to do this.
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