This page gives you 9 tools for finding and using information for your assignment. Remember to look in the other tabs of this libguide for other subject resources and topic guides.
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.
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2. Gather background information
Use dictionaries and encyclopaedias to find definitions and background information. Articles from specialized subject encyclopaedias are authoritative and often substantial.
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
Check your course book for recommended titles.
Search the Library catalogue:
- If you know the Title or Author, search under these. If you're searching for a topic, use Keywords.
- When you find a useful title, click on its subject headings to find books on similar subjects.
Check for books on Restricted Loan by course code.
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5. Find journal articles
-
To search for articles from a range of journals on a specific topic, search the recommended databases for Education.
If you can't find the kind of information you want on these databases, ask a subject librarian - we can help you choose the right database and the right keywords to use.
- If you know the name of a journal in your field, you can find it on the library catalogue and then browse articles either in print or electronically.
6. Find information on the internet
The internet has a lot of information, but not all of it is useful
or reliable. Make sure you check who wrote the page you're on:
- 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?
Try Google Scholar to find reliable journal articles, or the Advanced Search features of Google to restrict your search to results from reputable sources.
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7. Evaluate your sources
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8. Cite your sources
Citing all the sources of information you use in your essays lets others follow up your references and helps you avoid plagiarism. Education uses the APA citation style.
More on citing your sources.
9. Write your assignment
See our writing guides page for books which have useful hints for writing on technical subjects.
Visit the Learning Skills Centre for workshops and/or personal help.
Education Library |
Information LibrariansCaroline Syddall: ph 343 7739
Kathryn Andrews: ph 345 8205
Margaret Paterson: ph 364 3320
Ariana Tikao: ph 345 8821
Email: firstname.lastname@canterbury.ac.nz
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