Skills for finding information
Introduction
Introduction
During your studies you will need to find, and make use of, a variety of different resources from books to magazines, e-resources to videos or even ebooks and other online resources such as websites.
During your studies you will need to find, and make use of, a variety of different resources from books to magazines, e-resources to videos or even ebooks and other online resources such as websites.
You can locate the vast majority of these items through our LRC catalogue, Search+. Learning how to use Search+ will enable you to get the most out of our resources for your studies and future success.
You can locate the vast majority of these items through our LRC catalogue, Search+. Learning how to use Search+ will enable you to get the most out of our resources for your studies and future success.
You may also be asked to search for information from online resources using Google, Bing or another similar search engine. There are a great many resources that could prove useful for your studies to be found on the internet. Being able to find these resources quickly and easily is an essential study skill that will help keep you one step ahead in your studies and research whilst in college.
You may also be asked to search for information from online resources using Google, Bing or another similar search engine. There are a great many resources that could prove useful for your studies to be found on the internet. Being able to find these resources quickly and easily is an essential study skill that will help keep you one step ahead in your studies and research whilst in college.
Finding information self assessment
Finding information self assessment
Let's start by seeing what you hope to gain from this page and look at how confident you feel about this skill.
Let's start by seeing what you hope to gain from this page and look at how confident you feel about this skill.
Using Search+ to find information
Using Search+ to find information
The first place to start in your quest for information for your studies is to use Search+, the LRC's discovery service. If we subscribe to, or have purchased resources, for students to use for their studies they should be searchable and accessible through this service.
The first place to start in your quest for information for your studies is to use Search+, the LRC's discovery service. If we subscribe to, or have purchased resources, for students to use for their studies they should be searchable and accessible through this service.
The Search+ guide page below contains short videos that show you how to use this service:
The Search+ guide page below contains short videos that show you how to use this service:
If you want additional support using Search+ for the first time or simply advice from an experienced hand then please ask the friendly staff at your local ilearn team for help.
If you want additional support using Search+ for the first time or simply advice from an experienced hand then please ask the friendly staff at your local ilearn team for help.
Finding information online
Finding information online
Sometimes simply searching for resources the LRC can provide isn't going to be enough for your studies. You may be required to do additional research to back up our resources in your work and reasoning.
Sometimes simply searching for resources the LRC can provide isn't going to be enough for your studies. You may be required to do additional research to back up our resources in your work and reasoning.
Making use of search engines such as Google or even Google Scholar will help you find extra information for your work. This could be simply for background reading or for use in your work itself (provided it is referenced properly, of course).
Making use of search engines such as Google or even Google Scholar will help you find extra information for your work. This could be simply for background reading or for use in your work itself (provided it is referenced properly, of course).
To use Google Search effectively here are 20 top tips to get the most out of your time searching. Remember to use your Thinking Skills when looking at online resources. Alternatively if you want an expert opinion on the quality of your online research ask your librarian!
To use Google Search effectively here are 20 top tips to get the most out of your time searching. Remember to use your Thinking Skills when looking at online resources. Alternatively if you want an expert opinion on the quality of your online research ask your librarian!
In conclusion
In conclusion
Searching for information can be complex and overwhelming. Remember, following these simple steps will help find the right information for your studies and work.
Searching for information can be complex and overwhelming. Remember, following these simple steps will help find the right information for your studies and work.
- Begin by searching for resources that the LRC can provide access to based on subjects you are studying or reading lists provided by your teachers.
- Begin by searching for resources that the LRC can provide access to based on subjects you are studying or reading lists provided by your teachers.
- Think about the search terms and terminology of your subject. Using the correct language for your course and subject will also help you find suitable resources.
- Think about the search terms and terminology of your subject. Using the correct language for your course and subject will also help you find suitable resources.
- Apply your thinking skills to assess the suitability of any information you find.
- Apply your thinking skills to assess the suitability of any information you find.
- Look for information beyond the recommended or core texts.
- Look for information beyond the recommended or core texts.
Finding information final self assessment
Finding information final self assessment
Finally, let's look at what you have taken away from this page and how confident you feel about finding information now:
Finally, let's look at what you have taken away from this page and how confident you feel about finding information now: