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.
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.
If it is a very broad topic, consider what focus or angle you are going to take on it. If the topic seems very specific, consider what wider context or implications there may be. Re-read your lecture notes for hints.2. Gather background information
Use dictionaries and encyclopaedias to find definitions and background information. Articles from specialized subject encyclopaedias are authoritative and often substantial.
See:
Use the information you find in these resources to check that your interpretation of the the topic is a valid one.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 thinking on a topic.
- Do you need primary sources such as original account of
research, reviews of first performances, or secondary sources that are interpretations of someone
else's work? You may need both.
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 Music.
Tutorial on:
5. Find journal articles
- where to find articles in Music journals
- tutorial on finding an article
If you can't find the kind of information you want on these databases, ask your information librarian - we can help you choose the right database and the right keywords to use.
6. Find information on the internet
The internet has a lot of information, but not all of it is useful
or reliable. Consider the source of the page. Suitable sources are
- an academic or university department
- a national or prestigious music academy
- a research institute
- a government department
Use the Advanced Search features of Google to restrict your search to results from reputable sources.
Do not use articles directly from Wikipedia, although you can use its content (eg keywords or phrases) to search other sources
Use Google Scholar to find reliable journal articles. Adjust the Scholar Preferences to recongnise the University of Canterbury, and you will get full text whenever it is available through our library subscriptions.
7. Evaluate your sources
Read more on:
9. Write your assignment
See our writing guides page for books which have useful hints for writing on music.
Visit the Learning Skills Centre for workshops and/or personal help.
8. Cite your sources
Look professional and keep out of trouble by citing all the sources
of information you use in your essay, using the MLA citation style style.
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