Introduction
This page gives you 9 tools for finding and using information for your assignment. Look in the tabs for other subject resources and topic guides. If you need help finding information for your assignment, please contact the Psychology Information Librarian.
1. Define your topic
It might seem obvious, but the first step is to make sure you understand the topic. Identify the main concepts or keywords in your question to help you develop a search strategy.
Read more on:
2. Gather background information
Use dictionaries and encyclopaedias to find definitions and background information. Articles from specialised subject encyclopaedias are authoritative 
and often substantial.
Read more on:
3. Think about what information you need
- How much information do you need? Lecturers often give guidelines on the number of sources you should use.
- Do you need current information or is older material relevant? Sometimes you might need both, as you might have to give both the historic background and the current situation of a topic.
- Do you need primary sources that give an original account of research, or secondary sources that are interpretations of someone else's work?
If you don't understand what you have to do for an assignment, ask your lecturer, your tutor or someone at the Learning Skills Centre.
4. Find books
Search the Library Catalogue:
- Check for books on Restricted Loan.
- Use Title and Keyword anywhere searches to find additional material.
- When you find a useful title, click on its subject headings to find books on similar subjects.
- Browse the library shelves in the classification sequence for Psychology (BF/RC-RJ)
- Use the Reference Lists in your textbook and other recommended reading to find additional material.
5. Find journal articles
- where to find Psychology journal articles
- tutorial on finding an article
If you can't find the kind of information you want on these databases, contact Kerry Gilmour (Information Librarian for Psychology) for help with selecting the best database and keywords to use.
6. Find information on the Internet
The internet has a lot of information, but not all of it is reliable or appropriate for academic research. Check with your Lecturer or Tutor regarding the suitability of web sites for your essays. To help you to validate the information, check who wrote the page:
- a government department (.gov or .govt.nz)
- an academic (.edu or .ac.nz or published in a reputable journal)
- a business (what are they selling?)
- or Sam Someone?
Use Google Scholar to find journal articles, or the Advanced Search features of Google to restrict your search to results from reputable sources.
Read more on:
7. Evaluate your sources
Read more on:
8. Cite your sources
Avoid plagiarism by citing all the sources of information you use in your essay using APA style.
Read more on:
9. Write your assignment
See the writing guides page for books which have useful hints about writing for psychology.
Visit the Learning Skills Centre for workshops and/or personal help.
Description
Loading content... please wait
 |
Loading content... please wait