Library assistance
Would you like help with researching an essay topic? Do you want to make better use of the Library's many excellent resources? Or do you have some other query about this subject? If so, please contact the information librarian, Max Podstolski: send email
1. Define your topic
It might seem obvious, but the first step is to make sure you understand the topic.
1) Identify the main concepts or keywords in your question to help you develop a search strategy.
2) Work out why the topic is being been offered. Is it:
controversial ? complicated? what makes the topic interesting?
2. Gather background information
Use dictionaries and encyclopaedias to find definitions and background information. Articles from specialized subject encyclopaedias are authoritative and often substantial.
Browse a list of:
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 that give an original accounts from the time and place, or secondary sources which 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 PHIL books on Restricted Loan
- Use Title, Subject 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 Philosophy.- Browse the catalogue Call Number (LC) index, eg. BJ 1012 (general works on ethics).
Read more on:
5. Find journal articles
If you can't find the kind of information you want on these databases, ask an 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
- a government department
- an academic or university department
- a research institute
Use the Advanced Search features of Google to restrict your search to results from reputable sources.
Some sites for Philosophy can be found here.
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 academically reliable journal articles. Adjust the Scholar Preference to recognise the University of Canterbury, and you will get full text whenever it is available through our library subscriptions.
For information on evaluating websites, see:
Evaluating Web Sites: Criteria and Tools (Cornell University)
7. Analyze your sources
Learning how to determine the relevance and authority of a given resource for your research is one of the core skills of the research process.
For information on analyzing sources, see:
Critically Analyzing Information Sources (Cornell University)
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 Referencing style
Read more on:
9. Write your assignment
The Library has some useful writing guides for this subject area.
Visit the Learning Skills Centre for workshops and/or personal help with writing your essay.
Description
Loading content... please wait
 |
Loading content... please wait