Assignment Research 作業研究


If you need further help finding information for your assignment, please contact the Librarian.

如果您需要進一步協助查找作業信息,請聯絡圖書館員。 

1. Define your topic and develop a search strategy 定義主題並制定搜尋策略

Identify the key ideas in your topic 確定主題中的關鍵思想
These words will form the basis of your search. To do a really effective search you will need to think more deeply about the search words you use. Consider what words a variety of authors writing about your topic might use.   

You will find your information more effectively by asking the following four questions about your key search words:-

What synonyms or related words might usefully be included in my search? 我的搜尋可能包含哪些同義詞或相關字詞?

e.g. adolescents / teenagers   intervention / treatment

What about search words with variant endings? 有不同結尾的搜尋字詞怎麼樣?
This is specially important for finding both the singular and plural of search words. e.g.child* finds child/children/childhood
Note that in many databases you can use an asterisk at the end of the root word to find other endings.

What about search words with different spellings? 不同拼字的搜尋字詞怎麼樣?
This is important when searching international sources.  PsycINFO subject headings use North American spelling.  To do an effective search, you will need to incorporate both British and American spelling into your search, e.g. (behavior or behaviour).  

How do I connect my search words? 如何連接我的搜尋字詞?
How do we logically connect our search words to achieve our intended result?
Use or to connect synonyms and related words. Place brackets around words connected with or. e.g. (domestic violence or family violence).
Use and when you want to focus your search by adding in additional words e.g. child development and attachment

Experiment with combinations of search words to find the ones that retrieve the best information for your topic.

2. Gather background information 收集背景資訊

Use dictionaries and encyclopaedias to find definitions and background information. Articles from specialised subject encyclopaedias are authoritative and often substantial.

Read more on:

3. Find books 找書

Search the Library Catalogue or EBSCO Collection Search to find books on your topic

Library Catalogue 圖書館目錄

eBooks & Research Databases 

電子書和研究數據庫

4. Find journal articles 找期刊文章


Journal articles are very important as they publish the latest academic research on a topic. To find journal articles, you'll need to search the recommended databases for Social Work. 

5. Evaluate your sources 評估你的資源

References recommended on reading lists will already have been evaluated for quality. You'll need to evaluate sources that you find yourself. 

Think critically about the information you find. The quality of your information has an effect on the quality of your assignment. 

Watch this video to learn how to evaluate your sources for credibility and relevance by asking yourself a few questions about your sources. 

6. Cite your sources 引用你的消息來源

Avoid plagiarism by citing all the sources of information you use in your essay using APA style.

Read more on: APA style 


7. Write your assignment