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Sources of information for your studies

At university you need to show that you have read a wide range of information.

Do you know what types of information resources are suitable to use in your assessment tasks?

Do you know the best tools to search for information resources?

 

Using information resources

The type of information you need will change depending on the question you are trying to answer. For assessment tasks you are expected to use information resources that are relevant, up to date and academic. The two most common types of academic information resources you will need to use in your assessment tasks are books and journal articles.

Common information resource types

These are some of the most common information resources you will be asked to use in your studies.

	Academic Journals An academic journal or scholarly journal is a collection of articles written by researchers in an academic or professional field. You can use Academic journals when doing research for assessment tasks or to find out about research on a particular topic. Journal articles are most often found in databases, which you can access via the Library website.
	Trade Journals A trade journal is published for a specific group of professionals in a particular profession or industry. You should use a trade journal when looking for news and trends about a particular trade or industry. Journal articles are most often found in databases, which you can access via the Library website.
	Books For research purposes, you will probably be looking for books that consist of original research or an expert analysis on topics or issues. You can use Books when doing research for assessment tasks when looking for comprehensive and authoritative information and summaries of research on a topic Do not use books if looking for the most up to date research as they can take years to publish
	Newspapers A newspaper is a collection of articles about current events, usually published daily. Sometimes you may be asked to find newspaper articles for assessment task. Newspapers include current information about global and local events. They also contain editorials, commentaries, and expert or popular opinions about issues that impact society.

Where can I find academic information resources?

It is important for you to know the best place to look for information as not all information resources are suitable for you to use in your assessment tasks.

The Library search engine

• The Library search engine is a useful place to start looking for information for your assessment tasks. It is a Google-like search of most of the Library's full-text content (online & print) from a single search box on the UOW Library homepage.
• Search for a particular book or journal title, or use search words from your topic to see what you can find.

My Library

• My Library provides you with easy access to Library content within Moodle, you can access the menu on the top navigation bar of all UOW Moodle subject sites.
• Use to find quick links to Subject Readings, Guides, Databases, Ask Us, and more.
• There is also a My Library search box on the sidebar of many of your Moodle sites, which lets you search for information directly from Moodle - you can choose to search within your subject area or do a broader search of the whole collection.

Library Databases

• On the Library homepage is a link to A-Z Databases. This is a list of subject and multidisciplinary databases which contain huge collections of online journals.
• Use subject databases when looking for information specific to your area of study.

Finding information from non-academic sources

Other search engines (Google, Bing, Yahoo! Duck Duck Go etc.)

Use search engines when looking for:

• Government information
• Background information on a topic
• Images and video clips
• Public opinion and social commentary
• News from around the world

Tips for finding information from non-academic sources

• Use the advanced Google search function. You can limit your search to domains like .edu.au, .gov.au, for more reliable and unbiased information.
• Google Scholar is also a great tool for finding academic data, as well as links to scholarly journal articles.
• Wikipedia is good for finding alternative keywords and for getting an overview of your topic.

 

Do you want to explore My Library in Moodle?

1. Open a new tab and log into SOLS
2. Click on one of the subjects you are enrolled in and go to the My Library drop down menu at the top of the screen.
3. Click on 'Readings' to see if there are any online readings for that subject.
4. What else can you find?

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