When you have worked out what information you need, you have to think about where you will get your information from. The following questions may help you to narrow down your search.
During this step you need to ask:
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- What strategies do I use to locate sources?
- What keywords/ search terms will you use?
- Where can I find the information I need?
- What search tools, sources and equipment can I use?
- How do I identify an appropriate source?
- Which sources best suits my need?
- How do I ethically use information?
LOCATING INFORMATION
Once you have a list of keywords and search terms we recommend you use the following search tools in this order:
- Check to see if there is a pathfinder available for the topic via the 7-12 Course Support page
- Use your keywords to search the Library Catalogue
- Search the relevant eResources
- Search the free Internet
YourLibrary@MLC provides the following types of information sources for your research and inquiry needs:
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- Non-fiction books and eBooks
- Print Periodicals – i.e. newspapers, magazines, journals etc
- Online Encyclopaedias – Britannica and Worldbook
- Websites (already evaluated by your Teacher Librarians)
- Other eResources
- Online subscription paid databases – providing you with access to national and international newspapers, magazines and journals & ebooks
- Video recordings – eg. ClickView
Are you stuck?
- If you have no knowledge of the topic try reading a general encyclopaedia article to get keywords and related terms.
- Revise keywords/ search terms if your searches are not successful. You may need to broaden or narrow your term.
- Use knowledge of the Dewey system to judge the main subject focus of resources.
ADVANCED GOOGLE SEARCH
You may also need to consider using some of the advanced Google search tips provided in the video and links provided below to make your searching more efficient:
ETHICAL USE of Information
Commonsense Media. (2021). Creativity, copyright and fair use [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvZHNwBHirQ
COPYRIGHT
The definition of copyright is the set of permissions that tell us how certain creative works (literary works, artistic works, musical works, computer programs, sound recordings, films and broadcasts) can be used, so that others do not copy creative works without permission.
At its most basic, copyright is simply the exclusive right to copy.
Click here to access the Smartcopying website for copyright information for students.
PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism occurs where a student uses someone else’s ideas or words in their work and pretends they are their own. If the student has used a lot of someone else’s words without that person’s permission, copyright infringement may also occur. Students can check that their work is their own, and not breaching copyright, and so avoiding plagiarism, by running their work through the Turn It In site. Talk to your teacher if you need to submit your work via Turn It In.
Turn it in is an electronic assignment submission site that also checks assignment for plagiarism, in support of student integrity and authorship.
Lots of explanatory notes and helpful videos about plagiarism and how to avoid it.
Need help to improve your search skills?
For further assistance on how to improve your search skills review the presentation below.
Last Updated: 26 March 2023