Library Guides: Research Essentials: Find the right resources

Prepare to search

Identify your search terms

When you're researching a complex topic, it's difficult to know what to search for. Coming up with search terms can help you focus your search. Your search terms are based on the main concepts you need to research. You can figure out what search terms to use by:

Reading your subject readings and lecture notes - is there specific terminology that your readings use to describe your topic?
Looking at the reference list for your subject readings - does it contain anything relevant to you and how do they describe the topic?
Analysing your assignment question - what language do they use to describe the topic?
Thinking about how language around your topic has changed over time - has the topic been described in different ways throughout time (For example: online media being called "web" in the 1990s but then being described as "content" post 2015)
Thinking about synonyms - are there other words that mean the same thing as your topic (For example: "film" vs "movies" vs "cinema")
Trying different spelling variations (For example: "colour" vs "color")

New to your topic?

Develop a general understanding before you deep dive into niche aspects of a topic

Use encyclopedias and other reference materials to get a concise, up-to-date overview of a topic. They will also lead you straight to the most important or informative publications in the field.
Look for a 'Research Starter' result at the top of a Discovery search - these entries are from encyclopedias.
Check your subject library guides for more recommendations.

Search the library

Know where to search

The library collection includes access to thousands of online databases and physical collections. It is usually best to search in more than one place, as no one database or platform has access to all resources on your topic.

Use Discovery to start your search and find scholarly journal articles. Discovery searches across many of the online databases and physical library collections, but not all of them.
Use the library catalogue to focus on finding books and ebooks on your topic.
Consult Specialist library guides to find further databases and key sources of information for your study area.
Looking for a special type of resource? Use our Find and Access guides to find out how to find news, statistics, images or other resources types.

Build a search strategy

Library databases, including Discovery and the library catalogue, are a little different to general search engines. They give you very precise results based on exactly what you asked for. To get better results, try these top tips:

only use your keywords to search, not full sentences
use quotes to find exact phrases or titles e.g. "climate change"
use the filters to limit your results e.g. peer reviewed, date, source type

This video shows you how to combine your search terms in databases to get better results:

Not getting the results you need?

Too many results?

use filters to limit the results by date, or source type
use boolean searching or advanced search options to make your search more precise

Can't find anything?

try a general source like an encyclopedia for recommended sources
broaden your search by adding alternative keywords

Results aren't relevant?

choose a subject specific database that is recommended for your area of study
consider if you need to exclude any terms from your results

Install library search tools

Lean Library

Lean Library is a browser extension that identify sites, articles, journals and books we have University access to, so you can get seamless access to paid resources when you're browsing.

The Lean Library browser extension works with your UniMelb authentication, no separate user account is needed.

Get Lean Library

LibKey Nomad

LibKey Nomad is a browser extension the puts direct PDF download links into research platforms and other sites, for example, in Wikipedia reference lists.

The LibKey Nomad browser extension works with your UniMelb authentication, no separate user account is needed

Get LibKey Nomad

Browzine

BrowZine is an app to follow your favorite journals and get notifications on new issues and published articles. BrowZine can be installed from the Apple, Google Play and Amazon App Stores.

It allows you to browse titles by subject to easily find journals of interest and create a personal bookshelf of your favourite journals.

Get Browzine

EndNote click

EndNote Click, formally known as Kopernio, saves you time by putting PDF Download links onto many search result pages and publisher websites. It helps you save papers to your reference management software or to Dropbox.

Get EndNote Click

Google Scholar library link

You can set your Google Scholar preferences so that links to any Library subscription material shows a 'Find It @ Unimelb' link next to search results, taking you through to a full text version via the Library. This can be a convenient alternative if you don't want install browser add ons like Lean Library or LibKey Nomad.

Go to Google Scholar settings:
Click the Library links option in the left menu
Enter: 'University of Melbourne Library' in the search box and click the search button.
Tick the checkbox next to the option: 'University of Melbourne Library - Find It @ Unimelb'.
Click the 'Save' button.

Keep track of results

It's essential to keep track of what you have found when you are searching so that you:

Know what you have already found
Manage your reading and note-taking
Accurately reference the sources you use in your assessment

There are lots of ways to keep records of your searches. Most databases allow you to save searches, and to email or print search results. You can also use reference management software.