Find information

Good research rarely comes from one perfect search. Choose the most appropriate search tool, experiment with your keywords and refine your search as you learn more.

Choose where to search

Different tools are designed to find different kinds of information.

Search tool

Use it to find

Library catalogue

Books, eBooks, audiobooks and other library materials

Research databases

Articles, reference sources, reports, statistics and multimedia selected for academic use

Government and organisational websites

Laws, policies, official statistics, public reports and current information

Primary-source collections

Interviews, speeches, letters, photographs, maps, historical documents and original data

General web search

Background information, current discussions and useful vocabulary for further searching

A general web search can help you begin, but it should not be the only place you research.

Search the library catalogue

Use the catalogue when you need a broad understanding of your subject or a detailed book-length discussion.

Search using:

• A keyword for a broad search

• A title when you know the name of a book

• An author to find works by a particular person

• A subject heading to discover related materials

• A call number to locate the book and browse similar books nearby

Check the catalogue record for availability, location, format and a summary of the book’s contents.

Search the library catalogue

Use research databases

Research databases provide organised access to reliable information that may not be freely available through a general web search.

When searching a database:

1. Begin with two or three important concepts.

2. Combine different concepts with AND.

3. Combine synonyms with OR.

4. Use quotation marks around exact phrases.

5. Apply filters only after seeing your initial results.

6. Read the title and summary before opening the complete source.

7. Save the citation information as soon as you decide a source may be useful.

Example search:

“extreme heat” AND “public health” AND (cities OR urban)

Useful filters may include:

• Publication date

• Source type

• Reading level

• Subject

• Language

• Full-text availability

Do not select full text only too early. A useful source may be available through another database, in print or with help from the librarian.

Explore the research databases

Find primary and government sources

A primary source provides direct or original evidence from the time, person or event being studied.

Primary sources can include:

• Interviews and speeches

• Diaries, letters and personal accounts

• Photographs, posters and maps

• Laws, treaties and government records

• Surveys, experiments and original datasets

• Newspapers published during the period being investigated

• Creative works such as novels, films, paintings and music

Government and intergovernmental websites are useful for official statistics, laws, policies and reports. Look for the organisation responsible for the information rather than relying only on the website address.

Examples include national statistical offices, ministries, municipal authorities, the United Nations, the European Union and the World Health Organization.

Remember: official does not automatically mean neutral. Consider the purpose and perspective of every source.

Locate multilingual resources

Searching in more than one language can reveal sources, terminology and perspectives that are missing from English-language results.

Try:

• Translating your main concepts rather than the entire question

• Searching local names for places, people and organisations

• Trying alternative spellings and transliterations

• Looking for national libraries, archives and government agencies

• Combining an English term with a term in another language

• Asking a fluent speaker to check important translations

Keep a record of the language used and note when you rely on translation software.

Refine your search

Searching is a cycle:

Search → Review → Learn → Adjust → Search again

If you find too many results:

• Add another concept

• Use a more specific term

• Add a date, place or population

• Use quotation marks around an exact phrase

• Apply a suitable filter

If you find too few results:

• Remove the least important concept

• Try a broader term

• Add synonyms using OR

• Remove quotation marks

• Search in another database or language

Keep a search record

Record what you searched and where you searched it. This prevents repeated work and helps you explain your research process.

Where I searched

Search terms used

Useful results

What I will try next

Before moving on

I can:

• Choose an appropriate tool for the information I need

• Search the library catalogue and research databases

• Combine keywords using AND, OR and quotation marks

• Recognise primary and official sources

• Search for information in more than one language

• Refine an unsuccessful search

• Record useful sources and citation details

Next step: Evaluate sources

Finding information is only the beginning. Before using a source, check its authority, evidence, currency and purpose.