Prepare to search
Identify your search terms
After analysing your assignment task, you should have a clear idea of concepts and limits of your topic. These will be your keywords for searching. Prepare for your search by:
- listing your concepts and keywords
- thinking of alternative terms for these keywords to broaden your results
- you may also want to note down things you want to exclude
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.
This video describes your search options when getting started at the University of Melbourne:
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:
Broaden or narrow your search
You may need to try different combinations of search terms or broaden or narrow your topic to get the best results as you search and review your results. This is a normal part of the search process.
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
Find scholarly, peer reviewed information
Here are some top tips for finding scholarly, peer reviewed resources for your assignment.
- Many scholarly databases, like Discovery, have filter options to limit your search results to peer reviewed articles.
- Try a multi-disciplinary scholarly database that only includes peer reviewed sources, like Scopus or Web of Science.
- Check if the journal the article was published in is scholarly or peer-reviewed, search for the journal name in Ulrichs Web Global Serials Directory.
What is scholarly peer reviewed information?
Scholarly information:
- is evidence-based and well-researched
- has undergone rigorous review by experts in that respective field
- can include academic journal articles, some books and some other forms of information
Peer reviewed articles:
- have been reviewed by other academics ("peers") in the same field prior to publication
- are considered to be of a high standard
- are published in peer reviewed journals
Use specialist library guides
Search specific databases
Our general search tools will uncover a lot, but did you know we also have hundreds of specialist databases and resources for your specific area of study?
Subject Area Library Guides are written and maintained by specialist librarians who are knowledgeable about your subjects, and will give you specific recommendations about where to search. Choose 'Guides by Subject Area' to find a guide for your area of study.
This video shows five advanced search techniques for getting more out of library databases:
Find different resource types
Your assignment might require to find news, statistics, images or other resources types. Use our specialist library guides to help you find other specific types of resources:
Save time with library search tools
These tools will provide direct access to full text online resources, whether you're on or off campus, and speed up your research by making resources easier to access.
Find out more about each tool in the gallery below. You don't need to limit yourself to one, you can install and use them all.
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.
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
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.
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.
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. See the referencing section of this guide for more resources.