Find information using one of these resources
- ECU Library Search Tip SheetECU's Library Search provides instant access to books/ebooks, journal articles, newspaper articles, DVD’s and more, through one simple search interface.
Evaluating Information
- Evaluating InformationUse this tip sheet to critically evaluate information.
Finding information for your Assignment
- Analysing your Assignment topic [text version]a text version of how to break your assignment topic into concepts to find information
Consider the type of information required and your current knowledge of the topic.
Your Reading List is a great starting point. The books will provide a broad overview, then use journal articles for current information.
Database Search Strategy Forms
These Database Search Strategy Forms help provide structure to finding information for your Assignments. They will help you break your assignment topic into parts, and consider alternative terms or key words for each part. They also provide guidance on how to best use smart searching techniques and search parameters, such as refining your search by date or information type.
- Searching Tip sheetFind keywords and related terms to search for a topic.
Smart Search Tips
1. Break your topic into concepts.
e.g. The effect of diet on a person's
health:
Concept = Diet
Concept = Health
2. Consider alternative keywords:
diet, nutrition
health, wellbeing
3. Use truncation to search for variations of words:
infan* (infants,infantile, infancy)
child* (child, children,childhood)
4. Use AND to narrow the search:
diet AND health
nurs* AND best practice
5. Use OR to broaden the search:
diet OR nutrition
child* OR infan* OR toddler
6. Use inverted comas for phrases:
" pulmonary embolism"
" evidence based nursing"
7. Beware of differences between
English and American spelling
and terminology:
foetal/fetal
caesarean/cesarean
haemorrhage/hemorrhage
- Searching using Boolean OperatorsThe Boolean search operators are AND, OR and NOT, and always in capital letters. Use these operators to create a very broad or very narrow search.
