Skip to Main Content

Find and use information

Keeping organised

Take notes of:

  • The database name
  • Search strategies/keywords used
  • Database fields searched (e.g. All text, or Subject)
  • Number of search results
  • Details of useful articles (email/save these)
  • Note any new keywords

Example: 

"Examine the use of Facebook in learning and teaching for tertiary level students and teachers. Discuss the impact of Facebook on tertiary education by outlining both positive and negative effects. Write a short reflection on how you have used social media for learning."

Some key terms: Facebook, "social media", learning, teaching, "tertiary education"

Search strategies:

1. A broad search. In this case, searches in both Library search and Scopus show that there is a LOT of information written about Facebook and Social media, so the search must be narrowed by adding more keywords.

Results

Comments

Library search (TX All Text)

2350589

Too broad!! Try narrowing by field.

Library search (SU Subject Terms)

240710

Still too broad! Try adding keywords to narrow.

Scopus (TITLE-ABS-KEY)

95967

Too broad, need to narrow by field

Scopus (KEY)

58559

Too broad, need to narrow by adding keywords

 

2. A more focused search, adds keywords that describe the context. In this case the searches are more useful.

Results

Comments

Library search

Facebook OR “Social media” (SU Subject Terms)

AND Learning (TX All Text)

AND Teaching (TX All Text)

AND “tertiary education” (TX All Text)

168

Several useful, have emailed these, could try narrowing by refining by date

Scopus

Facebook OR “Social media” (KEY)

AND Learning (TITLE-ABS-KEY)

AND Teaching (TITLE-ABS-KEY)

AND “tertiary education” (TITLE-ABS-KEY)

14

Some useful, have saved!

 

3. Then keep note of the articles you are using in your essay. Collect and record citation information as you go.

Article – citation information

Found in

Chu, S. K. W., Ravana, S. D., Mok, S. S. W., & Chan, R. C. H. (2019). Behavior, Perceptions and Learning Experience of Undergraduates Using Social Technologies during Internship. Educational Technology Research and Development, 67(4), 881–906.

Library search

 

Once you are familiar with referencing, you could learn to use a reference manager like Zotero, EndNote or Mendeley.

 

Use a reference manager